Cope
1460-1470
Medium
Silk and gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk, warp-float faced 4:1 satin weave with supplementary brocading wefts bound by main warps in weft-float faced 1:4 'S' twill interlacings and with supplementary pile warps forming cut voided velvet
Dimensions
117.5 × 310 cm (46 1/4 × 122 in.); Repeat: 75.7 × 21 cm (29 3/4 × 8 1/4 in.)
Classification
weaving - velvet
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
50886
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Velvet textiles often formed the foundation for the most sumptuous ecclesiastical vestments, or ceremonial attire, worn by European clergy. The cope, a cape-like garment, is worn during processions. It is usually decorated with a band of embroidery, or orphery, on its straight edge. These precious textile components were often separated to increase their value on the art market in the 19th and 20th centuries.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...