Wednesday 30 November 2016

For the Season of Advent

The vestments shewn in the adjacent photograph were prepared for a parish community in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (Texas USA), a returning customer.

This chasuble, in the Saint Bede Studio's Saint Giles design, was made from an English ecclesiastical brocade in a muted shade of violet and lined in grey taffeta. The vestments are ornamented with an orphrey braid of the Studio's own design (directly based on the work of AWN Pugin) in colours of silver and red upon Roman purple.

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Sunday 27 November 2016

The Colours of Advent : an annual post

Often it is asserted by liturgical commentators and other internet experts, that there are "correct" colours for the vestments used during Lent and Advent. Curious as to the history of these colours in Liturgical use, some years ago we researched and posted an article  here and here, about use of penitential colours for the Seasons of Advent and Lent. If you have wondered what colour the Church recommends for these Seasons, you might find the article illuminating.

We include here an historic work of art to illustrate the practice of our forebears. This work (adjacent) was painted by an artist known as The Master of Osservanza in the year 1440 and depicts a Low Mass being offered at a side chapel in the Siena Cathedral (Italy).

Some observations. The chasuble being worn by the celebrant is violet: in other words, much the same colour as the flower "violets". It is a blue-ish colour, not purple and it is not too dark either. The chasuble is the full conical shape and is ornamented with a simple column-orphrey of dark fabric (possibly even black). Most likely, the front of the chasuble would have been decorated with the familiar "tau". The celebrant is wearing decorative apparels on his alb and amice, which match the colour of the chasuble's ornament. That is a very typical practice of the Mediaeval period. Note, too, the very full folds of the alb.

We see, also, that the young cleric assisting the celebrant is wearing a full-length surplice or rochet, according to the style typically found in Renaissance Italy. Those who claim that such surplices are a "Church of England", or a "Low Church Party" garment should note this well.

Lastly, the altar itself. It is clothed in a dark antependium or altar frontal, ornamented with scarlet red. On the altar is a Crucifix and a single candle. Although it may seem peculiar that there is but a single candle instead of a pair, it might be remarked that not until the 16th century was it a usual practice to have a pair of candlesticks on an altar.

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Monday 21 November 2016

Important Notice : 2
2017 Ordinands

Because of strong demand, the Studio's scheduled of commissions for the period January - August 2017 is now over-flowing. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to carry out work on any new enquiries until after that time.

Because this will disrupt the service we normally offer at this time of year to Ordinands, we wish to advise that a number of white chasuble sets will be made available for sale on this Blog during the first half of 2017 to ordinands * whose need may be urgent. These will be simpler sets, ornamented with a variety of the Studio's unique braids.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com

* NB. No enquirer requesting a maniple will be presumed by The Saint Bede Studio to be rigid or defective in love. 

Friday 18 November 2016

For the Season "Per Annum" 2016 : 8

As the Season Per Annum draws to a close, we are pleased to present this dalmatic, one of a pair recently completed for a returning customer. The dalmatics complement a chasuble in the Saint Philip Neri style previously completed.

The matching dalmatics were made from an ecclesiastical brocade in green and gold, ornamented in the Roman manner with outlining braids, and lined in green taffeta.

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Important Notice : 1
Commissions for 2017

We wish to advise that commissions for the latter part of 2017 are now being accepted, but that available places are few. Do not delay in making an enquiry.

A further important notice will be posted in the next few days.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com

Sunday 13 November 2016

Regnans Gloriose

Today one of the Saint Bede Studio cats celebrated her 21st birthday. For a cat of her dimensions and sex, this the equivalent of ONE HUNDRED (100) human years. "Locket" was my late mother's cat and she was adopted by me after my mother's passing in April 2007. The centenarian enjoys excellent health, leading an active life, but is stone deaf. Frequently she is a damned nuisance, but one expects this from a dowager. Locket has spent her birthday going about her usual (and unvarying) activities, but has received Greetings from neighbourhood cats passing by.

Tuesday 8 November 2016

For the Season "Per Annum" 2016 : 7

During the time "per annum" we are pleased to present this attractive set of green vestments recently completed for a returning customer by the Saint Bede Studio.

The chasuble, in the Saint Philip Neri style, is made from a deep shade of olive green dupion silk and is ornamented with a rich brocade of burgundy and gold according to the Roman form, outlined with a galloon in the same colours.  The vestments are lined with a bronze-coloured taffeta.

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Friday 4 November 2016

For the Season "Per Annum" 2016 : 6

The set of green vestments shewn in the adjacent photograph was recently made by the Saint Bede Studio.  This unlined chasuble was sewn from dupion silk, handmade in India.

These vestments are in a beautiful, heraldic shade of green, being neither too light nor too dark. The ornament is formed from an orphrey braid exclusive to the Saint Bede Studio and based directly on the work of AWN Pugin. The colours of the braid are red, blue and gold.

This set of vestments is the second in a new range of simple vestments which will occasionally be offered for sale by the Studio. A previous set in the same style may be seen here.

The purchaser of these vestments, a returning priest-customer from Germany, wrote to the Studio:
The green vestments arrived here today. Your work is stunning as ever, even in this simple form. I only dare to call the vestments "simple", because you used the term yourself on The Saint Bede Studio blog. 
Especially, I want to congratulate you on the magnificent St. Austin orphrey braid! How gifted you are, indeed.  Thank you for enriching the quality of our liturgy! I am looking forward to future projects!
Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com 

Wednesday 2 November 2016

On the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

For a returning customer, the Studio has recently completed this set of black vestments in the Saint Philip Neri style.

The vestments are extremely simple, but in the classic Roman style of ornament. A black damask was used for these vestments, ornamented with silver braids and lined in charcoal-grey taffeta.

Please click on the image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com