Altar Cloth Item Number: Sf880 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Square shaped white silk cloth with gold appliqué cross along the bottom edge. The cross is elaborated with wheat ears between the arms. There are two spiraled vines with appended leaves below the cross. The design is worked in gold thread, sequins and leaf-shaped metal plates with a red stone in the centre. The design has a red outline. The fabric is backed by another red cotton fabric and edged with a woven gold tape which is machine stitched to the base fabric.

History Of Use

Such cloths are used to cover the altar in a Catholic church.

Iconographic Meaning

The cross is a Christian symbol. The leaves and grain heads reiterate the theme of rebirth or resurrection contained in the cross.