Art Institute of Chicago

Cope

Probably Spain

Date

1450-1500

Medium

Silk cut velvet embroidered with couched gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk; later additions: orphrey band

Culture

Spain

Department

Textiles

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Velvet textiles were often employed as the foundation for ecclesiastical vestments, the ceremonial attire worn by European clergy. The pattern on the velvet is created by additional gold thread embroidery. The design, known as ferronerie (the French word for ironwork), appears to have been a Spanish specialty. On this cope (a long semicircular cape), the embroidered band that traditionally decorated the long edge was replaced at some point with a modern fabric.

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