Miter from the Abbey church of the Benedictine Monastery of Saint Peter (BOSMFA 38.887)
This is the Miter from the Abbey church of the Benedictine Monastery of Saint Peter from the 13th century, founded in Salzburg, Austria. A miter was a liturgical clothing worn by an abbot during critical church events. The head of the vestment features eight-pointed stars and purple and gold roundels for gems that signify power and prestige. The ornate detailing suggests an astrological and otherworldly significance. The silk was from the near east with either Byzantine or Islamic origins, but the piece was constructed in Germany. Although materials from the Miter result from crusade trade patterns, the religious textile could have been used during an event to justify Christianity for a call to arms or support for the crusades.