Artist name:
Greece or Asia Minor
Artwork title:
Part of Bishop's insignia, Greek Orthodox
Description: Handembroidered Cross; part of the decoration of an omophorion, the insignia of a bishop of the Orthodox Church, corresponding to the pallium in the Roman church. The traditional decoration on this long scarf-like vestment consists of a roundel at the back of the neck, and four more roundels or crosses, two on the shoulders and two on the ends, with two or more horizontal bands below them at the ends. All these pieces were embroidered separately and applied to the vestment, rather than worked directly on to it. Black silk on linen backing, embroidered with metallic thread and polychrome silks (faces and hands). The Cross depicts the figure of the Virgin of the Annunciation in the centre with the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descending from a cloud of light above her head. The angel would have been worked on the corresponding cross. The inscription in Greek above her head reads: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it unto me according to Thy word"; at each side of the Virgin's head: "The Mother of God"; left hand circle: St. Gregory the Theologian; right hand circle: St. Nicholas. The rough cutting of the edges indicates that it formed part of a larger unit. See Historical notes.
Artwork date(s): 15th/16th century
Artwork type: European Collection
Medium: silk on linen, metallic thread
Measurements: 260X240
Accession number: 587
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