Embroidered ecclesiastical stole
Gold thread and coloured silks
St Augustine's Church, Kilburn, London NW6
"[T]he stole, now a narrow strip of embroidered silk, probably at one time the ornamented edge of a garment which the appropriate prayer speaks of as 'the garment of immortality'... is worn for preaching and at other times; because the priest is the minister of eternal life" (H.H.J. 25-26). It was "crossed on the breast" for the Holy Eucharist, "for it is by wearing the cross on our breast, and gladly laying down our life, that we can come to immortality" (H.H.J. 25).
This exquisitely worked item has its own red-beaded crosses, complemented by stylised white lilies and roses, and is fringed with coloured silk tassels.
Photograph by John Salmon, with thanks to St Augustine's Church; text by Jacqueline Banerjee. [Mouse over the text for links.]