Conservation of the Gold-EmbroideredEpitaphiosFrom the St Paul Monastery, Mount Athos: the Hidden Story of an Ecclesiastical Textile

A rare, fifteenth-century gold-embroidered ecclesiastical textile from the St Paul Monastery on Mount Athos revealed hidden historical and artistic details during conservation. The study uncovered extensive overpainting and previously unknown reverse-side inscriptions, providing new insights into the textile's significance and craftsmanship. Despite logistical challenges—including transporting a restricted-access object to a female-operated conservation studio—the team developed specialized treatments to stabilize the fragile textile for future display. This research highlights both the scientific and cultural value of Mount Athos' World Heritage Site, offering a deeper understanding of its ecclesiastical textiles.

Kousoulou, T. (2010). CONSERVATION OF THE GOLD-EMBROIDEREDEPITAPHIOSFROM THE ST PAUL MONASTERY, MOUNT ATHOS: THE HIDDEN STORY OF AN ECCLESIASTICAL TEXTILE. Studies in Conservation, 55(sup2), 12–17. https://doi.org/10.1179/sic.2010.55.supplement-2.12