Review article
https://doi.org/10.17018/portal.2025.25
Collaboration between the Croatian Conservation Institute and the Archdiocese of Zagreb on Preserving the Textile Collection of the Zagreb Cathedral
Vlasta Bošnjak
; Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb
Marta Budicin Munišević
; Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb
Sandra Lucić Vujičić
orcid.org/0000-0002-9238-2784
; Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb
Branka Regović
; Croatian Conservation Institute, Zagreb
Abstract
The treasury of the Zagreb cathedral holds approximately 1,000 valuable textile artefacts. A long, fruitful collaboration between the Archdiocese of Zagreb and the Department for Textiles, Paper and Leather of the Croatian Conservation Institute began in 2005 with the restoration of a luxurious mitre (inventory no. T 3) dating back to the 14th century and restored in 1549 for the inauguration of Bishop Wolfgang Gyulay (1548–1550). Comprehensive conservation and restoration of textile artefacts continued in 2011 with the restoration of three exceptionally valuable Baroque laces – Milanese, Flemish and Belgian (inventory nos. T 314, T 319 and T 332) – of the 17th and 18th centuries. These pieces are associated with Bishops Martin Borković (1667–1687), Aleksandar Ignacije Mikulić (1688–1694), Emerik Esterházy (1708–1722) and Juraj Branjug (1723–1747). From 2013 to 2016, comprehensive conservation and restoration was carried out on dalmatics (inventory nos. T 95b, T 95c, T 95d) from a set of four dalmatics, each depicting one of the evangelists, created for Bishop Mikulić. In addition to the dalmatics, work was performed on an altarpiece and chasuble from the liturgical set, T 94, belonging to Bishop Stjepan Seliščević (1694–1703). A complete conservation and restoration of the so-called ‘pink’ liturgical vestments (inventory no. T 259) was also carried out from 2017 to 2023.
All the liturgical textiles listed, richly decorated with gilded and silvered threads, suffered from structural damage, including tears and holes in the primary fabrics.
Forming a highlight of the collection are five tapestries from the Months of the Year cycle (1699–1710). These tapestries were a gift from Queen Maria Theresa to the Zagreb Diocese and Bishop Franjo Thauszy (1751–1769).
The tapestries were dusty, with dried-out and faded threads. Mechanical damage, such as holes, tears, worn weft threads, and historical repairs using coarse threads, was observed.
The conservation and restoration of these items involved research into their origins and manufacturing techniques, detailed graphic and photographic documentation, cleaning using dry and wet methods, and repairing fabric and embroidery damage.
Keywords
liturgical vestments; tapestry; embossed embroidery; lace, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zagreb; cathedral treasury; Zagreb; textile conservation
Hrčak ID:
342773
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2025.
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