Vestments from the Cathedral of Seville

Continuing on with our previous article on a spectacular Spanish cope, I wanted to also turn your attention to a spectacular set coming from the Cathedral of Seville. The cathedral in question is host to a great number of precious vestments -- for example, there are over three hundred copes alone counted within the cathedral's treasury, along with a plethora of other vestments. 

The set which particularly caught my eye is one that combines in violet and dates from, I would estimate, the nineteenth century. 


The set would appear to be pontifical as it includes, amongst other pieces, a gremial (placed upon the lap of the prelate in order to prevent soiling of the vestments). 


The set appears to include imagery of the Holy Spirit -- an atypical inclusion for violet vestments, though it is worth noting that there is no set rule which limits the use of certain symbols to certain liturgical colours (e.g. symbols of the Holy Spirit with red). 

The form of the cope and chasuble are, of course, Spanish. Regrettably the dalmatic and tunicle from the set are unavailable to us, but one can imagine their particular composition from the rest of the set. 

The Cathedral of Seville took so much care of their vestments that, since the fifteenth century, they have had the position of "Maestra de los Ornamentos o de las Vestiduras" (Mistress of the Ornaments and Vestments) whose function was to specifically care for the maintenance and care of the sacred vestments of the cathedral. A wonderful testament to the importance of vestments and their continued usage within the sacred liturgy.  

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