Celebrating the College Vestments
The exhibition was introduced by Professor Malcolm Vale, a distinguished authority on late medieval northern European culture and former Fellow Keeper of the Vestments at St John's.
Many of the items in the College's collection, comprising copes, dalmatics, banners, and altar frontals, pre-date the English Reformation (i.e., pre-c.1530) and were likely donated by the Founder, Sir Thomas White, as part of St John's original chapel furniture.
" The St John's textiles ... probably represent one of the best collections of their kind outside public galleries and museums in this country " Professor Malcolm Vale, 2024
Professor Vale delivered a limpid account of the collection's remarkable history, tracing its preservation at Fyfield Manor (Oxfordshire) during the iconoclastic looting of the late Tudor period, its return to St John's following the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, and its various (and sometimes secular) uses over the centuries, including as costumes for a children's Nativity in the nineteenth century. Professor Vale also highlighted the ongoing project to produce a comprehensive illustrated catalogue of the collection, with comparative material from other collections such as that conserved at the Catharijne Convent Museum, Utrecht.
Following Professor Vale's talk, attendees had the opportunity to explore the collection itself, displayed in purpose-built cases in the Garden Quad Reception Room. It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic visitors enjoying and engaging with the College's historic collection.
The Vestments will be displayed again in the new year; please refer to our Events Page for further details in due course.