The Del Valle Vestments: The Devotion and Performance of a Matriarchy
Loyola Marymount University
photos courtesy of Loyola Marymount University
This text from the LMU website, accessed November 2023
“The prominence and complexity of the del Valle family, nineteenth-century Californios owning a large land grant in Southern California, was made manifest through their family home, Rancho Camulos, now a national historic landmark. There the matriarch, Ysabel del Valle, and her eldest daughter, Josefa, played leading roles in the creation and maintenance of the family's image. Ysabel's deep devotion to the Catholic faith ensured that the rancho's small, family chapel became the site of religious services regularly performed by visiting priests. With her close connections to the clergy, Ysabel created a site in which objects of devotion, including the vestments now at LMU, were intertwined with the family's social standing.
Three undergraduate students curated this exhibition and followed the path laid by Josefa's donation of these vestments to the university.
The Del Valle Vestments: The Devotion and Performance of a Matriarchy was displayed in the William H. Hannon Library's Terrance L. Mahan, S.J. Department of Archives and Special Collections, February to May 2016.”
LMU students handling one of the vestments
From the wall didactic for the exhibition:
White and Gold Chasuble, circa late 19th century
This chasuble features stunning gold embroidery appliqué that has been applied on top of the white, silk plain weave base. Embroidered appliqués allowed clients to customize the design of a vestment according to their budget, adding on, or minimizing ornamentation as desired or afforded. The open cross on the chasuble’s back contains the letters IHS, the abbreviations of the Greek spelling of Jesus. Decorating the rest of the cross are images of grapes, which symbolize the wine of the Eucharist, and roses, which can symbolize purity when white.
– Ygnacio del Valle Family Collection
Chasuble photo courtesy of Loyola Marymount University