Textile Fragment from the Dalmatic of San Valerius

Unknown

13th century · Silk, gilt animal substrate around a silk core; tapestry weave · Islamic Art

This brocaded textile was originally applied to a dalmatic of Andalusian manufacture. It belongs to a collection of vestments attributed to the cult of Saint Valerius, who was the bishop of Saragossa from 290 until 315. During the eleventh century his body was transferred to the Cathedral of San Vicente de Roda de Isábena in Huesca (Aragon), from where relics were dispatched to other churches. The textiles were made to venerate the saint, with the dalmatic worn on the occasion of his feast day. This textile fragment has an Arabic inscription in naskhi across the bottom: "Good luck and glory and exaltedness and magnificence".

Artist

Unknown

Date

13th century

Medium

Silk, gilt animal substrate around a silk core; tapestry weave

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1946