Cope shield.
Western Europe, early 16th c.
Vilnius Cathedral.
Embroidery with metal threads
The shield of a Renaissance cope, though not embroidered in the regular or nué technique, is an excellent example of what such embroideries may have looked like. This technique allowed stitching threads in one direction – horizontally, rather than following the contour of the drawing or in circles, as was done by mediaeval masters. Silk threads of different colours were stitched over the metallic base to form patterns or designs, with a freely chosen distance between the stitches. Denser stitching produced more colour, and sparser stitching gave more gold glitter.
Images of Christ and scenes from the Gospel
Christ blessing bread and wine is depicted in the centre of the composition. In front of him is Judas carrying a moneybag.