Alb in linen and lace elements. Italian workshop. 17th century. Total length: 165 cm.   The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York preserves an italian alb (inv. 2009.300.1667) of great resemblance to ours. This piece, as well as ours, 'contains complex and beautiful details, which include pleating and various lace elements', as the museum reports. As explained by the MET in its website, 'the alb is the most ancient of liturgical vestments [...]. [It] was worn under other garments, including the dalmatic and chasuble; only the interlaced bands at the hem would have been visible. The use of white linen is symbolic; it is meant to signify innocence and purity.'   Bibliographic reference: - The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (n.d.). 'Alb'. https://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/156406?rpp=30&pg=6&ft=chasuble&pos=157&imgNo=0&tabName=gallery-label