Mitre

Embroidered mitre, Italy (?), early 16th century. Embroidered mitre, Italy (?), early 16th century. Copyright Victoria and Albert Museum, London, acc. no. 219-1887.

A mitre (Greek: μίτρα, 'headband' or 'turban') is a Christian liturgical vestment, generally triangular in shape, which may take different specific forms. Mitres have long been worn by Christian bishops and abbots in many Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Since the medieval period, mitres have often been made from decorative woven and/or embroidered material. 

The mitre has two lappets (infulae) that hang down the back of the mitre. They are generally embroidered.

Sources:

  • BAILEY, Sarah (2013),  Clerical Vestments, Shire Library, Oxford, pp. 22-25.
  • COATSWORTH, Elizabeth (2012). 'Mitre', in: Gale Owen-Crocker, Elizabeth Coatsworth and Maria Hayward (eds.). Encyclopedia of Medieval Dress and Textiles of the British Isles, c. 450-1450, Brill: Leiden, pp. 370.

V&A online catalogue (retrieved 11 March 2017).

GVE

Last modified on Wednesday, 15 March 2017 11:22