Antique Dalmatic from Central Europe, possibly Austria, eighteenth century - A graceful design of naturalistic foliage sprawls gently across the ivory ground of this incomparably lovely antique Dalmatic or liturgical vestment from the Hapsburg Austrian Empire datable to the era of Maria Theresa or her daughter Marie Antoinette. The patterns of vines, leaves, and flowers are made up of embroidered silk appliques sewn onto a silk ground, amidst broad borders of gold metallic thread. Its design connotes the sacredness of the natural world.