Cleveland Museum of Art

Priest's Red Cope, Orphrey and Hood

Date

late 1500s - early 1600s

Medium

Cope: damask weave, silk; Orphrey and hood: brocade, silk and silver

Culture

France and Italy, Orphrey and hood: France, Lyon, Regency period, 1715-1725; Cope: Italy, late 16th - early 17th century

Department

Textiles

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Liturgical copes are used for processions especially by those who assist the celebrant. They evolved from a secular outer garment with a hood to protect the wearer from wind and rain. Hoods remained although they became decorative and nonfunctional. This Italian silk damask features large symmetrical bouquets in urns within curved lattices bearing crowns flanked by birds. The French orphrey band, or ornamental border, along the front edges and hood incorporates small ornament associated with prestigious lace amid the formal foliate design.

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