Antique Vietnamese Catholic Nurturing Bird Cross Design Chasuble Authentic Ecclesiastical Garment

This vintage Vietnamese Catholic purple silk chasuble features a central cross with a spread-wing bird in the middle nurturing 3 babies and a beautiful variety of intricately woven floral designs, of gilded & silver metallic threads together with silk embroidery. Although not in perfect condition it is in an excellent state of wear considering its age. Most people associate Catholicism in Viet Nam with the French colonial period, which is very much the case. However, Jesuits from all over Europe brought Catholicism to Asia 500 years before that. The Catholic tradition in Viet Nam and all the other Catholic populations of Asia is well established. The Catholic population of Vietnam is only about 8% of the total but that is about 7 million people. During certain periods of their history Catholics have been some of the most influential people in the country. One of the largest concentrations of Catholics in Viet Nam is in the province of Nam Dinh, a short distance south of Han