Red velvet dalmatic panel with appliqués of angels. Spanish, 16th century.

A framed red velvet dalmatic panel with embroidered appliqués of angels.

Spanish, 16th century.

Measures 75 x 64cm including its later frame, the panel itself measures approximately 65 x 53cm.

The two angels can be seen flanking a heraldic shield surmounted by a coronet. The Shield contains the initial ‘M’ for Maria (also known as Mary, the mother of Christ), beneath appliqués of the sun and moon. The red velvet panel is mostly embroidered with silver wire, coloured silk threads and is set with collet set glass ‘gems’.

The panel, originally from a Dalmatic; The dalmatic is a long, wide-sleeved tunic, which serves as a liturgical vestment in the Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, United Methodist, and some other churches.

Pictured in image 9/10 is a Spanish Dalmatic dating to the first half 16th century, from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 33.95.61.

Pictured in image 10/10 is a Spanish cross reliquary dating to the 16th century, the case is decorated with similar angels and the sun and moon. The reliquary is from the collection of the Victorian and Albert Museum, Accession Number: M.373-1956.