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PELENA (ONE OF A SET OF THREE)

Creator(s): Unknown

Currently in storage


About this object

A pelena is a decorated cloth which is often hung beneath icons as an adornment. This example illustrates the lavish needlework that characterizes the finest examples of such cloths. It uses couching, an embroidery technique that permits various effects, such as ripples and zig zags. The cloth is bordered with an inscription in Church Slavonic taken from the Psalms that reads: "The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty, he is girded with strength. Yea the world is established…[it shall never be moved]." This cloth is bordered with an inscriptions in Church Slavonic. Some inscriptions have specific associations with Church holy days, such as the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God celebrated in October.

Cross of Golgotha rendered in couched gold embroidery that resembles a basketweave pattern. The inscriptions are rendered in a tight satin stitch. The mountain over the skull of Adam and the ends of the lance and sponge are in a ??? stitch. In each of the four corners are embroidered a seraphim with wings of gold-wrapped silk thread. Their faces, like the skull of Adam beneath the cross, is rendered in plain silk threads of beige and black. On each of the four sides are inscriptions in Church Slavonic in a viaz' script. e spear, the sponge and the skull of Golgotha and abbreviated inscriptions in old Slavonic. The back is lined with a faded blue silk.and bears the following inscriptions: top proper left: “п.182” struck through. Bottom left. C. 1979 2. 3 a.

Object name:
PELENA (ONE OF A SET OF THREE)
Made from:
Silk embroidered with gold-wrapped thread (central panel); silk embroidered with silver- and gold-wrapped silk thread -- lined with cotton
Made in:
Russia
Date made:
17th c.
Size:
43.5 x 43.5 cm (17 1/8 x 17 1/8 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
43.61
Class:
NEEDLEWORK
Signature marks:
inscription “The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty, he is girded with strength. Yea the world is established…[it shall never be moved]” – Psalm 93: 1 Periphery front in Church Slavonic inscription s19792 Written in purple ink on backing, lower left. Presumably an inventory mark. Letter is in Cyrillic. inscription 3sht Written in purple ink on backing, lower left. This is written below the inventory(?) mark. It most likely should be translated as 3 sht[uck], or 3 pieces, and indicates that this is one of a set of three. inscription P182 (crossed out) Written in purple ink on reverse, upper left. Presumably an old inventory mark?
Credit line:
Gift of Madame Augusto Rosso, 1970