Cape Item Number: 3295/14 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Black-green velvet cape with gold trim. The open front is decorated with gold-coloured trim, ribbons and coloured stitching with the centre section, which wraps around the neck, decorated with larger gold designs over small squares of green, purple or burgundy fabric. The edge of this section is finished with white beads. Two crosses and geometric designs in gold trim and small, solid-coloured pompoms extend down from the neck. There are rows of coloured straight and zigzag stitching and silver stamped designs. A machine-made ribbon of gold with pink and green designs extends horizontally across the middle of the cape, and again along the bottom edges of the open front. The back is lined with different coloured pieces of cotton.

Narrative

Purchased by donors in a shop in Jerusalem's old city. The shop owner said he collected the piece in the area around Jerusalem, or in Jordan. The embroidery seems reminiscent of Christian liturgical garb.