Object Type
Church Objects, Clothing and Cloth
Material
Textile
Country of Origin
Greece
Credit
The Government of the Hellenic Republic
Caption
Import Restricted since 2011.
Section II.G of Designated List in force since 2011.
The ecclesiastical ethnological materials represent the Early Christian and Byzantine periods and include objects made from 324 A.D. through the 15th century A.D.
Robes, vestments and altar clothes are often a fine fabric and richly embroidered in silver and gold. Embroidered designs include religious motifs and floral and geometric designs.
Example shown:
"Aer" or "Epitaphios" (textile used for ecclesiastical purposes), depicting the dead body of Christ (Agnus Dei) and 4 angels on the corner, each one holding an icon of cherub
Material: Gold Weaving; Period: ca. A.D. 1354; Provenance: Monastery of Vatopedi, Mount Athos (gift of emperor John VI Kantakouzenos, A.D. 1347-1354); Place of Production: Undefined; Dimensions: 1.636 m. x 1.065 m.
Monastery of Vatopedi, Mount Athos