Hood for a cope
Unknown Artist
late 15th–early 16th century
Medium
Silk, linen and metal thread
Dimensions
Without fringe: H. 16 x W. 16 1/2 inches (40.6 x 41.9 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven|Textiles-Ecclesiastical
Culture
Italian, Florence
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Fletcher Fund, 1946
Accession Number
46.156.98
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Hood for a Cope crafted in Florence during the late 15th early 16th century, served as the ornamental hood for a cope—a semicircular liturgical cloak worn by clergy during religious ceremonies. Produced in an era when Renaissance Florence was a hub of artistic innovation and piety, this square panel (16 x 16½ inches without fringe) reflects the city's mastery of luxurious textiles for ecclesiastical use. Woven from silk and linen with shimmering metal threads, it likely features intricate motifs of angels and the Virgin Mary, symbols of divine protection and intercession centra...