Mitre from the Cathedral Treasure of Minden

This richly ornamented mitre (bishop’s liturgical head-dress) of silk damask (initially red, now faded to yellow) depicts two scenes from the life of Mary: the Annunciation on the front, and the Coronation on the back. Small seed pearls, sewn on in dense rows, form the figures. The halos, the vase holding lilies, the stars in the background and the acorns in the upper border are made of gilt silver foil. Two intertwined vines made up of seed pearls form the lower border, followed by a frieze of gilt sliver plates with twisted frames. These bear appliquéd and pearl-embroidered images of lions with griffin’s claws. The lappets are embroidered with vines bearing oak leaves and acorns.