A Twelfth Century Alb

The Liturgical Arts Journal has an interesting article about an alb preserved at Ferento, near Viterbo. It has survived as it is believed to have belonged to a saint-bishop. In discussing this specific example the article opened into a consideration of the history and development of the alb since the twelfth century. The alb is one of the liturgical vestments with the longest history, and, because of its very nature, one that has in its essence changed little. Later centuries developed the use of fine fabrics, decoration and different types of pierced fabrics and lace.

It was designed to be worn with apparels, indicating their established use at the time it was made. 

The alb itself is in fine condition and equal in quality to other surviving medieval examples from Italy, such as those associated with St Francis of Assisi and Pope Boniface VIII, as well as those from later centuries.

The illustrated article can be viewed at Medieval Survivals and Its Liturgical Lessons For Today: A Twelfth Century Apparelled Alb