In the master's thesis, we conducted an analysis of a chasuble featuring an image of the Virgin Mary from the Church of St. John the Baptist in Hum pri Ormožu. Through visual inspection and condition assessment, we created graphic documentation of the artifact. Fourteen samples were taken from the chasuble for further analysis. The research included monitoring the climatic conditions in the storage area, sample analysis (yarn linear density, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, yarn and fiber diameter measurement, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), and an examination of the structural properties of the fabrics (density of warp and weft threads). To contribute to a better understanding of the religious and historical significance of chasubles, we conducted interviews with experts in the conservation and restoration of textiles and liturgical garments in Slovenia. The results revealed that the storage conditions for the chasuble were unsuitable for textile preservation, as the relative humidity was excessively high 96% of the time, and significant temperature fluctuations were also present. Material analysis showed that the primary fabric of the chasuble had been replaced, making it difficult to accurately determine its age. We identified six silk samples, five cotton samples, two viscose samples, and one linen sample. The samples exhibited various degrees of damage and contamination. Two of the collected samples contained metal elements made from different materials. Based on the analytical findings, the estimated age of the oldest parts of the chasuble ranged between 90 and 130 years. Based on the research results and literature, we developed a proposal for conservation and restoration measures that would enable the preservation of the chasuble and its potential future use. In Slovenia, there is no standardized practice for handling older chasubles that are no longer in use. We found that their fate often depends on the individual parish priest.
|
