The mitre is perhaps the most iconic of all the episcopal insignia, signifying the wearer's episcopal authority and dignity. It is a mark of his spiritual leadership, and traditionally, when vesting, the bishop would make the following prayer when the mitre was placed upon his head:
Place upon my head, Lord, the mitre and helmet of salvation; that I may go forth unhindered against the snares of the ancient foe, and of all my enemies.
In this regard, the mitre is an important liturgical and hierarchical symbol and so its form and decoration should naturally reflect this. In the case of LAVS , their mitres are noteworthy for their use of fine silks and embroidered designs, but most notably, their intricate bead work.
Stylistically, much of their work falls within the sphere of later gothic and Renaissance tradition. Today we are going to do a general survey of just a few of the different precious mitres this atelier have produced over the years.
We'd invite you to pay particularly close attention to the materials used, and also the beautiful textural qualities of these works.
These next two mitres are perhaps my favourite, for reason of their particularly impressive beadwork. The richness of the beadwork used here draws particularly attention to this symbol of the episcopal dignity.
Of course, seeing a mitre worn in liturgical use is always the very best way to assess it particular quality and nobility, and what better example can we give you but of Pope Benedict XVI wearing one of LAVS's precious mitres -- and not for the first time. (As a point of note, the violet cope seen here worn by the pontiff is also by LAVS.)
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