This vintage Vietnamese Catholic altar cloth features a central flaming heart in the middle of a sunburst, surrounded by embroidered silk flowers. On each side of the central design are clusters of silk-embroidered flowers. On either end is a half-cluster of the same flowers.

This would have decorated the front of the altar. This is an exceptionally beautiful early 20th century cloth and is among the oldest we have. Regrettably its condition reflects its age and use; it is very worn and stained. There is a large attached cotton section that would have laid on the top of the altar, holding the altar decoration in place. 

Most people associate Catholicism in Viet Nam with the French colonial period, which is very much the case. However, Jesuits from all over Europe brought Catholicism to Asia 500 years before that. The Catholic tradition in Viet Nam and all the other Catholic populations of Asia is well established. The Catholic population of Vietnam is only about 8% of the total but that is about 7 million people. During certain periods of their history Catholics have been some of the most influential people in the country. One of the largest concentrations of Catholics in Viet Nam is in the province of Nam Dinh, a short distance south of Hanoi, on the coast. Although we are unable to trace the origin of this exceptional chasuble there is a high probability that it comes from this area. 

We purchased this from a dealer in Hanoi. He most likely purchased it from dealers who are resident in the provinces. We have no way to ascertain the age of each piece but we are confident that, conservatively, it is at least 50 years old. It could very easily be much older; there is absolutely no doubt it is an authentic, vintage Vietnamese Catholic objects.

We have a full range of Vietnamese Catholic ecclesiastical material: full saint figures in all sizes, crucifixes, tabernacles, shrine enclosures, a wide range of ecclesiastical textiles. We also have Vietnamese Buddhist objects as well. Please ask us for more information.

Dimensions of decoration: 91 x 12" (231 x 30.5 cm); dimensions of entire cloth, including the portion which was laid on the top of the table to hold the decoration in place: 91 x 25" (231 x 63.5 cm)