Sticharion thumbnail 1
Sticharion thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Sticharion

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

Linen tunic, embroidered in chain stitch with coloured silks on the front, with a group depicting the Virgin and Child in the centre, two angels above and St. George and the Dragon below. Two floriated Coptic crosses on either side. The sleeves are similarly embroidered with an angel, and a grouping of large and smaller blossom forms and floriated crosses; on the cuffs a narrow band of scroll ornament.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
linen and silk
Brief description
Egyptian Coptic, embroidered linen deacon's tunic (sticharion), 19th century
Physical description
Linen tunic, embroidered in chain stitch with coloured silks on the front, with a group depicting the Virgin and Child in the centre, two angels above and St. George and the Dragon below. Two floriated Coptic crosses on either side. The sleeves are similarly embroidered with an angel, and a grouping of large and smaller blossom forms and floriated crosses; on the cuffs a narrow band of scroll ornament.
Dimensions
  • 3'5" length: 41in
  • 4'4" width: 52in
Style
Object history
bought for 2l. 10s.

Historical significance: See Volume II of Butler, AJ, The ancient Coptic churches of Egypt, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1884, for descriptions of comparative vestments.
Historical context
The sticharion (known as the 'alb' in Western Christianity) is the tunic worn by anyone participating formally in the celebration of the Eucharist in the Orthodox rite. As no other vestment is worn over the deacon's sticharion, it is usually more highly embroidered that that of the priest, who wears it under other vestments.
Subjects depicted
Collection
Accession number
1311-1871

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Record createdDecember 9, 2003
Record URL
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