Humeral Veil thumbnail 1
Humeral Veil thumbnail 2
+5
images
Not currently on display at the V&A

Humeral Veil

18th century-19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This textile object is a humeral veil, one of the liturgical textiles used traditionally during the Roman Catholic Mass, and by the priest or subdeacon during Catholic services such as the Benediction (blessing) or Procession of the consecrated communion host. The humeral veil is draped across the shoulder of the wearer as a shawl or cape, and the two ends wrapped around the hands of the priest or deacon, which would be carrying the monstrance (a ceremonial vessel which displays the consecrated host) or the ciborium (a small covered vessel that stores unused consecrated communion hosts).

Silks were the prescribed textile upon which humerals were made. While red is usually associated with the feast day of a martyr, and pomegranates (and blossoms) symbolic of the passion of the Christ, the central motif suggests a possibility that this humeral may also have been used on a more specific occasion. The phoenix-like bird may have been intended as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which in Christianity is often depicted as a dove. As red is also the colour of the Feast day of Pentecost (the feast day celebrating the Holy Spirit), the humeral may also have been worn on this particular occasion.

Although the Christian religion was not native to China, by the eighteenth century there was some missionary presence there. Embroidered silk vestments and liturgical textiles were made in China, not only to supply the requirements of the churches in China, but also frequently exported to Europe and other new mission posts such as the Philippines. The Guangzhou and Chaozhou regions were particularly renowned for rich gold embroidery on silks and this embroidery may have originated there.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gold embroidery on red silk
Brief description
Humeral veil, gold embroidery on red silk, made in Guangzhou or Chaozhou, Guangdong province, China, Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century.
Physical description
Rectangular length of red silk, with floral scrolls at four corners. Floral motifs of the rose and pomegranate. In the middle of the panel is a phoenix-like bird, encircled by lines symbolising rays of light.
Dimensions
  • Length: 184cm
  • Width: 72cm
Style
Credit line
Purchased with Art Fund support
Object history
Registered File number 1947/374. From the collection of Bernard Vuilleumier.
Production
Made in Guangzhou or Chaozhou, Guangdong province.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This textile object is a humeral veil, one of the liturgical textiles used traditionally during the Roman Catholic Mass, and by the priest or subdeacon during Catholic services such as the Benediction (blessing) or Procession of the consecrated communion host. The humeral veil is draped across the shoulder of the wearer as a shawl or cape, and the two ends wrapped around the hands of the priest or deacon, which would be carrying the monstrance (a ceremonial vessel which displays the consecrated host) or the ciborium (a small covered vessel that stores unused consecrated communion hosts).

Silks were the prescribed textile upon which humerals were made. While red is usually associated with the feast day of a martyr, and pomegranates (and blossoms) symbolic of the passion of the Christ, the central motif suggests a possibility that this humeral may also have been used on a more specific occasion. The phoenix-like bird may have been intended as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which in Christianity is often depicted as a dove. As red is also the colour of the Feast day of Pentecost (the feast day celebrating the Holy Spirit), the humeral may also have been worn on this particular occasion.

Although the Christian religion was not native to China, by the eighteenth century there was some missionary presence there. Embroidered silk vestments and liturgical textiles were made in China, not only to supply the requirements of the churches in China, but also frequently exported to Europe and other new mission posts such as the Philippines. The Guangzhou and Chaozhou regions were particularly renowned for rich gold embroidery on silks and this embroidery may have originated there.
Collection
Accession number
T.201-1948

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest