Chalice Cover
Late 19th century
Medium
Linen, plain weave, embroidered in chain and cross stitches; edged with needle lace; with raised details in immitation of Venetian needle lace
Dimensions
17.6 × 17.2 cm (7 × 6 3/4 in.) Center square approx.: 2 3/4 × 2 3/4 in.
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
38922
Art Historical Context
This exquisite **Chalice Cover**, dating to the late 19 century, is a finely crafted liturgical textile from the Art Institute of Chicago Textiles Department. Measuring just 17.6 × 17.2 cm (7 × 6 3/4 in.), with a central embroidered square of about 2 3/4 × 2 3/4 in., it served to veil the chalice during Christian religious ceremonies, protecting its sacred contents and adding a layer of reverence to the Eucharist ritual. Produced by an unknown artisan, it reflects the era's devotion to elaborate needlework, blending utility with spiritual symbolism in Victorian-era ecclesiastical art. Crafted...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...