Treasures of Christian Gaul: history and restoration of the textile relics of Saint-Césaire d'Arles

Summary
The restoration of ancient and archaeological textiles constitutes the very framework of this work which is 
by no means aimed at specialists alone. On the contrary, we wish on this occasion to open wide the doors 
of the workshop to the reader to show him how the restorer proceeds, step by step, to the examination of 
objects, to the study of their often complex history, by confronting sometimes the hypotheses of historians
to his direct observations, he who has the immense privilege of being able to manipulate objects, study 
them with a magnifying glass, and "operate" on them like a surgeon, with the sole aim of prolonging their 
existence and with the sole precaution not to betray anything of their precious past.

The set of textile relics attributed to Saint Caesarius (470-542) consists of a tunic but also two wool 
palliums protected by silk envelopes. The completely exceptional nature of the fabrics to be restored was 
due to the fact that, far from being anonymous, as is often the case, they were precisely attributed to this
bishop who was one of the great theological, pastoral and political figures of 6th century Gaul. Rarely have
simple woolen fabrics, decorated with a little silk, been so full of history. Under these conditions, how can 
we not be touched by the eminent personality of Saint Caesarius, the rarity of such clothing from the 
early Middle Ages and the testimony they provide to a period of transition between Antiquity and the 
Christian Middle Ages?

Dimensions
22 x 28 cm