THIS ITEM IS SOLD*** Antique 19th Century French Ecclesiastic Silk Vestment Cope With Silk and Metallic Embroidery

**This item has sold.** This exquisite cope hood has such a rich and noble appearance. It originates from the Normandy region of France and dates towards 1900.

The pale creme silk background has worn over time and the horizontal threads have raised up a bit...which gives an additional depth to the appearance. The outline of each flower, leaf, scroll and circle is of a fine gilt metallic braid. The embroidery is hand worked with long horizontal strokes reaching from side to side in each channel. The silk thread colors are luminous; claret red, sage green, lilac, champagne, orange, yellow, sienna brown, orange, grey, pale green, and gold. There is a central medallion with a beautifully rendered Christogram, "IHS" with and exquisite cross through the center. The cross is worked with tiny gilt metallic French knots which are placed atop a gilt paillette or sequin. There is a band of gilt metallic bouillon fringe (3" long) which attaches to the wide (1") gilt brocade border. The backing is of rose cotton (faded in places, spotting and darkening at edges). As this attached to a robe, the top of the cope shows the raw edges of the fabrics).

It measures: 24" x 27" (including metallic bouillon fringe). It is in good antique condition: Please look at the photos carefully as this is an old textile which has not been reworked; rather the fabrics have stood through time and have wear and faults typical of age and use. There is bleeding of the color from the silk embroidery throughout.

As a visual object it is simply stunning. It would make an impressive background for a small altar table or religious collection.