A stola, attribute of priestly dignity and power. Silk brocade circa 1730. This type of silk brocade, which was extremely expensive in this period, gave the suggestion of great depth. This silk brocade woven with colorful flower patterns was used to make robes for upper class ladies. Often they beqeated the costly material in their will to the Catholic Church to make religious vestments out of the fabric. In this stole you can see its made up of various smaller patches of the costly fabric which confirms that the costly fabric was used earlier for worldly aims. The folded out stole measures 208 x 16 on the broadest part and 208 x 6 on the narrowest parts. An interesting piece of Church history when from the Netherlands hailing from one of the hidden Catholic Churches, so called " schuilkerken"