Red and Gold Dalmatic Robe

DATE:: 18th century
MATERIAL AND TECHNIQUE:: Silk damask with applique and gold
CLASSIFICATION:: Textiles
DIMENSIONS:: 46 × 60 in. (116.84 cm × 1 m 52.4 cm)
DEPARTMENT:: Decorative Arts and Design
LOCATION:: Not On View
CREDIT LINE:: Dallas Museum of Art, The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection
COPYRIGHT:: Image courtesy Dallas Museum of Art
OBJECT NUMBER:: 1985.R.112

General Description

A dalmatic is a wide-sleeved robe worn over the alb and cassock by a deacon at High Mass. This one is of red silk damask onto which are sewn cuffs and clavi descending to an apron of appliqué work composed of light colored silk strapwork, flowers, and leafy scrolls stitched with gold-wrapped threads over a red velvet ground. The bird with open wings represents the Holy Spirit.

Excerpt from

Dallas Museum of Art, The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection (Dallas, Texas: Dallas Museum of Art, 1985), 212.