With all the people here at the TRC, or via other friends, we can usually identify the textiles and garments that come in. There was a description in a previous blog, for example, of textiles that might be church pillar hangings (TRC 2024.2934a-b). There were also rectangular shapes that turned out to be humeral veils (TRC 2024.3061) that are worn by Roman Catholic priests as a form of shawl, over a chasuble.

But ever so often we get an object that flummoxes us, so we have decided to have a new series of blogs called ‘What is it’? The first ? item (TRC 2024.3109) came in a few days ago and is part of a donation of textiles and garments that originate from as far apart as Guatemala and Indonesia and were donated by Marjolijn van Scherpenzeel (Hartendief, Leiden).

Large rectangle with a central panel of green silk velvet edged with black, red and grey silk velvet and framed by a band of yellow diagonal lines in surface couching (TRC2024.3109).

The piece in question is a large rectangle (121 x 79 cm) with a central panel of green silk velvet edged with black, red and grey silk velvet. There are also embroidered motifs, including flowers, palm trees, and two lions with large black leaves. In addition, there are two vertical holes (deliberately made) in the central cloth.

Back of the cloth (TRC 2024.3109).

There have been various suggestions about its function, such as a waistcoat (vest), or perhaps a covering for a stand or lectern of some kind, with two spikes/pillars (hence the holes). Suggestions (with comparable examples) would be most welcome !

Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood, 11 November 2024