Orphrey (one of a pair)

Unknown Artist

17th century

Orphrey (one of a pair) by Unknown Artist

Medium

Silk and metal thread

Dimensions

L. 40 x W. 7 inches (101.6 x 17.8 cm)

Classification

Textiles-Embroidered

Culture

Spanish

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Frederick C. Hewitt Fund, 1914

Accession Number

14.134.3a

Tags

HorsesMadonna and Child

Art Historical Context

This exquisite 17th-century Spanish orphrey, one of a pair, is a narrow embroidered band crafted from silk and metal threads, measuring 40 x 7 inches. Orphreys like this were prized decorative elements sewn onto ecclesiastical vestments, such asasubles worn by priests during Mass, adding splendor to religious ceremonies. Produced in Spain during the height of the Baroque era, it reflects the era's opulent textile traditions, where embroidery served both spiritual and artistic purposes. The design features the iconic Madonna and Child alongside horses, blending tender religious devotion with d...

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