Part of an orphrey
Unknown Artist
late 15th or early 16th century
Medium
Silk, linen and metal thread
Dimensions
H. 26 1/4 x W. 7 1/4 inches (66.7 x 18.4 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture
Italian, Florence
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1914
Accession Number
14.62.8
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite fragment of an orph, originating from Florence, Italy, in the late 15th or 16th century, a glimpse into the opulent world of Renaissance ecclesiastical textiles. Orphreys were richly decorated bands sewn onto priestly vestments, such as copes or chasubles, to adorn religious ceremonies. Measuring 26¼ x 7¼ inches, this likely formed part of such a garment, featuring motifs of angels and the Virgin—central figures in Christian iconography that symbolized divine protection and purity. Crafted from silk, linen, and shimmering metal threads, the textile showcases advanced weaving te...