Jameel Gallery
Church Vestment
Iran, probably Isfahan
1600–50
Armenian priests wore this vestment, the shurjar, to celebrate Mass. Its semi-circular form is similar to the Western cope. The Crucifixion hung at the priest’s back, and the figures of Mary and the Archangel Gabriel formed an Annunciation scene on his chest. This shurjar was woven with a fine silk pile like a carpet. It is now fragmentary as a previous owner began to cut it up, probably to provide carpet samples.
Silk warp (Z2S), silk weft and pile, with metal-wrapped thread
Museum nos. 477-1894; T.30-1926, T.211-1930,
Given by Messrs A. & M. Indjoudjian Frères, Paris
[2006-2019]
MASS-VESTMENT
PERSIAN; 16th -17th century
This unique vestment, now mutilated, originally formed slightly more than half a circle, with a double border all round. When worn, the Annunciation group was on the front and the Crucifixation group on the back of the vestment. It was evidently made for a Chrisitian community, such as the Armenian colony settled by Shah Abbas at New Julfa, Isfahan, in 1605.
It is very finely knotted in the carpet technique, entirely of silk, except for areas of gold and silver thread. Warp, plied silk; weft, three shoots of silk after each row of knots. The large pieces were purchased; the two smaller fragments were given subsequently by Messrs.A. and M. Indjoudjian Freres, Paris. [Used until 10/1997]