Orphrey

early 17th century

Not on view

This orphrey band is an extraordinary example of complex and highly refined embroidery. The depiction of the faces of the roundel figures is lifelike and animated and there is whimsy in the winged creatures who appear to be blowing trumpets but actually are leaves emanating from the central plant motif. The enormous detail in curvilinear forms includes the swag of the draperies, sinuous curling vines and leaves and the curling tails of the winged figures. This panel was probably one of two panels on a cope. This piece has been cut, which accounts for the single orientation of the roundels and the slightly shorter length than would be needed to accommodate a cope. There is some indication that it was also used as a wall hanging, which would be evidence of its having been altered from its original use.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Orphrey
Date: early 17th century
Culture: Italian
Medium: Silk, metal
Dimensions: 90 1/2 in. (229.9 cm)
Classifications: Textiles-Embroidered, Textiles-Ecclesiastical
Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of George Arents in memory of Annie Walter Arents, 1949
Object Number: 2009.300.2748
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Bookcase (one of a pair), Niccolo Michetti Italian, Walnut and poplar; iron hinges and locks, metal wire; antique silk and linen brocatelle door curtains (not original), Italian, Rome — Bookcase (one of a pair)
Niccolo Michetti
ca. 1715

Desk (Secretary), Pine; carved, painted, gilded, and varnished linden wood decorated with colored decoupage prints; mirror glass; the inside of the fall front lined with silk not original to the secretary, Italian, Venice — Desk (Secretary)
Italian, Venice
ca. 1730–35

Gondola prow in the shape of a doge's cap, Iron, partly gilded, Italian, Venice — Gondola prow in the shape of a doge's cap
Italian, Venice
18th century

Saint Ignatius Loyola with an angel holding a book, Francesco Bertos Italian, Bronze, Italian, Padua — Saint Ignatius Loyola with an angel holding a book
Francesco Bertos
ca. 1722

Holy-water stoup with relief of Mary of Egypt, Giovanni Giardini Italian, Lapis lazuli, silver, and gilded bronze, Italian, Rome — Holy-water stoup with relief of Mary of Egypt
Giovanni Giardini
Benedetto Luti
ca. 1702

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.