Humeral veil

The humeral or shoulder veil is neither a garment nor an ornament. Its name derives from the fact that the priest places it over his shoulders and fastens it at the front. The white silk humeral veil is richly embroidered in gold and coloured silk thread. In the centre is a circular radiating composition containing Christ’s trigram and the three nails, surmounted by a cross. Richly embroidered gold and silk plant motifs rise from the four corners. Other flowers of different sizes mark a sparse composition, probably Mughal-influenced, on the field, which is edged by a gold band simulating the usual narrow border. The trim is decorated with an undulating gold-embroidered plant motif alternating with stylized and richly coloured leaves and flowers.