About This Artwork

Italy or Sicily

Cope, Early/mid-17th century

Silk, satin weave; underlaid with linen, plain weave; embroidered with silk, gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk and gilt-metal-strips in crossed back, running, satin, and split stitches; laid work, couching, and padded couching; beaded with coral beads; edged with woven tapes
135.4 x 289.7 cm (53 3/8 x 114 1/8 in.)
Restricted gift of Mr. and Mrs. John V. Farwell III, 1965.772

Exhibition, Publication and Ownership Histories

Exhibition History

The Art Institute of Chicago, "Masterpieces of Western Textiles," January 25–March 2, 1969

The Art Institute of Chicago, "Raiment for the Lord's Service: A Thousand Years of Western Vestments," November 15, 1975–January 18, 1976

The Art Institute of Chicago, Agnes Allerton Gallery, "Vestments and Liturgical Textiles from the Permanent Collection," July 27–October 9, 1983

The Art Institute of Chicago, Elizabeth F. Cheney and Agnes Allerton Textile Galleries, "European Textile Masterpieces from Coptic Times through the 19th Century," September 27, 1989–January 22, 1990

The Art Institute of Chicago, Elizabeth F. Cheney and Agnes Allerton Textile Galleries, "Textile Masterpieces from the Art Institute of Chicago's Collection," February 17–May 2, 1993

The Art Institute of Chicago, Elizabeth F. Cheney and Agnes Allerton Textile Galleries, "Gloria in Excelsis Deo: Heralding a Vestment Collection," September 11, 1996–January 12, 1997

Publication History

Bath, Virginia Churchill. Embroidery Masterworks: Classical patterns and techniques for contemporary application. Chicago: Henry Regnery Company, 1972. p. 124-130.

Mayer, Christa Charlotte. Masterpieces of Western Textiles. The Art Institute of Chicago. Exhibition catalogue. plater. 121-122. page. 154-155.

Mayer-Thurman, Christa. Raiment for the Lord's Service - A Thousand Years of Western Vestments. The Art Institute of Chicago. (exh. cat.) 1976, no. 100, p. 214-215.

Wardwell, Allen, and Mildred Davison. "Three Centuries of the Decorative Arts in Italy.' Apollo. September, 1966, pages 186, 189.