Panel, orphrey panel

This is a fragment of a beautiful and richly embroidered panel made in a professional embroidery workshop in the Low Countries. Worn by priests and known as an 'orphrey', it was placed over a chasuble (tunic) and would hide any unsightly seams. The richness of the embroidery, which contains gold and silver threads, conveyed the wealth and splendour of the Church. Very few medieval church vestments (articles of ecclesiastical clothing) survive today as during the Reformation, many church vestments were burnt and the precious metals retrieved for other uses.