{"product_id":"drap-mortuaire-3","title":"COFFIN PALL – 19TH CENTURY","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBlack Velvet Coffin Pall with Silver Thread Embroidery – 19th Century\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrance, circa 1835–1865\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRare and elegant 19th-century ceremonial funeral pall, also known as a coffin pall, intended to cover the coffin during religious services and funeral ceremonies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMade of fine-quality black velvet, it is entirely decorated with hand-executed embroidery in silver metallic threads, using several techniques including couching and filling stitches. The composition is arranged around a large Latin cross formed by delicate scrolling foliage, harmoniously structuring the entire surface of the textile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe borders are richly embroidered with scrolling ivy, flowers and stylised foliage. The four corners are occupied by large funerary emblems framed by elegant floral compositions, while all four corners retain their original passementerie tassels, composed of metallic fringes, turned wooden beads and woven cords – elements rarely preserved on textiles of this type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn old black linen backing, hand-sewn in place, completes the ensemble.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eA Refined \u003cem\u003eMemento Mori\u003c\/em\u003e Iconography\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe decoration presents an iconographic programme devoted to the Memento Mori, inviting the faithful to contemplate the brevity of earthly life and the Christian hope of Resurrection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the motifs are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ea crown of thorns enclosing the three nails of the Passion\u003c\/strong\u003e, symbolising Christ’s redemptive sacrifice and victory over death;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003etwo winged hourglasses\u003c\/strong\u003e, recalling the irreversible passage of time and the fragility of human existence;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003etwo veiled cinerary urns\u003c\/strong\u003e, symbols of mourning, remembrance of the deceased and the hope of eternal life;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003enumerous stylised tears or flames\u003c\/strong\u003e, evoking the tears of mourning and prayers offered for the souls of the departed;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003escrolling ivy, flowers and foliage\u003c\/strong\u003e, associated with fidelity, enduring remembrance and the hope of immortality.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe overall composition is one of great elegance, with the vegetal ornamentation softening the funerary symbolism without diminishing its spiritual power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eEmbroidery of Remarkable Fineness\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe detailed photographs reveal a particularly high quality of workmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike many funeral palls decorated with applied metallic ornaments, this example features genuine embroidery worked directly onto the velvet, using different types of metallic thread and filling stitches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe flowers, foliage, scrolls and emblems display exceptionally delicate draughtsmanship, revealing the skill of a workshop specialising in liturgical embroidery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe original tassels, still present at all four corners, are a remarkable feature of its preservation and further enhance the ceremonial character of the piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe ensemble reflects a prestigious liturgical commission, probably intended for an important parish, religious confraternity or ecclesiastical institution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eVery fine overall state of preservation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe velvet retains a beautiful depth of colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe metallic embroidery remains particularly fresh and clearly defined, with an attractive antique patina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAll four original tassels are preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOnly a few discreet signs of use and very minor areas of wear should be noted, entirely consistent with the age and original function of the piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe original old backing is also preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, the piece is in a remarkable state of preservation for a liturgical textile of this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSignificance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLarge, richly embroidered 19th-century funeral palls are now among the most difficult liturgical textiles to find complete, and examples retaining their original tassels are particularly rare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith the exceptional refinement of its embroidery, the elegance of its vegetal composition, the richness of its funerary iconography and its remarkable state of preservation, this example represents an outstanding piece for a collection devoted to antique textiles, \u003cem\u003eMemento Mori\u003c\/em\u003e, religious art or historical funerary rites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt also possesses considerable decorative appeal and would naturally find its place in a museum collection, a cabinet of curiosities or a historic interior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e circa 1835–1865\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 220 × 150 cm\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 86.6\" × 59.1\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eMemento Mori\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe iconography of this funeral pall belongs fully to the Christian tradition of the \u003cem\u003eMemento Mori\u003c\/em\u003e – “remember that you will die”. This meditation on the fragility of earthly life encouraged the faithful to prepare themselves spiritually for death and eternal life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe winged hourglasses recall the inexorable passage of time, while the funerary urns evoke the common destiny of humankind and the remembrance of the dead. The tears express the sorrow of mourning and the prayers of the living.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt the centre, the three nails enclosed within the crown of thorns refer directly to the Passion of Christ. Placed at the heart of the composition, this emblem gives the entire work its profound meaning: death is presented not as a definitive end, but as a passage under the sign of sacrifice, redemption and the hope of Resurrection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RELICS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56893266166086,"sku":"980","price":2750.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0664\/4986\/6987\/files\/COFFIN-PALL-19TH-CENTURY-RELICS.jpg?v=1788877525","url":"https:\/\/relics.es\/en\/products\/coffin-pall-19th-century","provider":"RELICS","version":"1.0","type":"link"}