Sign in or 
Share this
Papal Vestments and Regalia
SEE ALSO Borgias Home | History of the Papacy
Introduction
The regalia of the Pope on his coronation were to impress upon the communicants the manifestation of God’s splendor incarnatus in the person of his representative on earth. Although the earliest priests dressed simply, over time a grand elaboration evolved, especially at the highest levels of the clergy. Every aspect was symbolic. Over the centuries, popes commissioned many versions of vestments and regalia to be consistent with their views of simplicity or ornamentation. Many were destroyed or stolen during difficult times.
 | Papal Vestments and Regalia |
 | |
The regalia of the Pope on his coronation were to impress upon the communicants the manifestation of God’s splendor incarnatus in the person of his representative on earth. Although the earliest priests dressed simply, over time a grand elaboration evolved, especially at the highest levels of the clergy. Every aspect was symbolic. Over the centuries, popes commissioned many versions of vestments and regalia to be consistent with their views of simplicity or ornamentation. Many were destroyed or stolen during difficult times.
Sculptor and historian George Stuart creates his highly detailed Historical Figures in one quarter life size.
The Borgia Historical Figures (R) are from collections of the Museum of Ventura County and George Stuart.
The Borgia Historical Figures (R) are from collections of the Museum of Ventura County and George Stuart.
 | Reference Sources The Historical Figure of Alexander VI was extrapolated from his images in Pinturicchio’s paintings in the Borgia apartment in the Vatican Palace, a portrait in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence and a bust of him from life in the Berlin Museum, and from other sources. As newly crowned Pope, he would show himself clothed very much as you see him here. These vestments would be changed often, as function and office required. | |
| Papal Tiara The Papal Tiara, triple crown tiara or triregnum was a primary symbol only of the Pope. Origins of the three crowns vary, but as the Trinity is held as the most significant aspect of the Roman Catholic faith, this could be its meaning. There are others. |  | |
Atop the tiara, the orb and cross finial represents God’s rule over the world. |  | |
 | The Coif Under the Tiara is a white, close fitting cap, or more properly a coif. This was a standard article of dress for men. The cap kept the head warm and was often tied under the chin. It held the hair in place when heavier headgear was employed. And, as priests were tonsured, it served as protection against the elements as well. | |
On the Back of the cope is the vestal hood. The origin of the cope was a Roman semicircular robe with a hood attached. Early Christians used this garment and gradually church leaders adopted it for ceremony and enhanced its decoration. The hood, no longer of practical purpose, was retained as a reminder of the garments humble origins. |  | |
 | The Orphrey, Surpice and Stole The decorative border of the cope or mantum is called the orphrey. In this case, it is a hagiography of the saints depicted with embroidery, jewels and embellishments. The cope is worn over a plain surpice, which has over it the stole, which is also encrusted with images and gold work. | |
The Cope or Mantum, and Morse The cope and the more elaborate mantum used as elaborate clasp, called a morse to hold it together across the chest. It is often heavily ornamented with gold and gems. |  | |
 | During the Renaissance, it was fashionable to cut a slit in the third finger of the right glove to expose the Episcopal Ring. These rings symbolized a marriage to the Church and were given at consecration. Early papal rings were set with a precious stone. The name given at consecration was engraved on the mounting. It is traditional for communicants to kiss the pope’s ring in salute. | |
Hagiography The images are of saints, are called hagiography and are painted on sheets of silk covered in gold leaf and set in gold bullion couching and large paste stones. |
| |
 | ||
| Mitre, Cope and Lapplets The back of the cope worn by Alexander VI shows the vestigial hood embroidered with the papal crest. The lappets going over the edge of the cope are now decorative remnants, but in earlier centuries were possibly ties to hold the mitre or tiara in place. |  | |
 | A Global Dispute In 1493, a dispute between Spain and Portugal arose as to which kingdom owned what part of the Americas then being discovered. It fell to Pope to decide who owned what. | |
The Line in the Sand The story is that the pope had a map of the known world laid out in sand on the floor at the Vatican, and with a specially designed silver sword he drew a line down the center, thus separating the new lands of the Spanish and the Portuguese. Later, in 1494 the division was refined and codified in the Treaty of Tordesillas and announced in a papal bull. |  | |
 | Ornate Cross or Crucifix From time immemorial, bishops have carried a staff called a crozier, while popes always carried some form of a croix of crucifix. Alexander VI is shown with two styles of crosses. One shows the cross with equal, but very ornamental arms, all set with gold and stones - very popular in the 15th and 16th centuries. | |
| Simple Cross, Uneven Arms This cross is elegant and simple with three transoms or cross bars of different lengths. | |
|
Kittywake09 |
Latest page update: made by Kittywake09
, Nov 4 2011, 7:41 AM EDT
(about this update
About This Update
Flourishes added
- Kittywake09
1 image added 1 image deleted view changes - complete history) |
|
Keyword tags:
Alexander vi
coif
cope
hagiography
lapplets
mantum
mitre
morse
orphrey
papal crown
papal goove
papal ring
papal sword
papal tiara
papal vestments
pectoral cross
stole
surpice
The Borgias
Tordesilla
triregnum
More Info: links to this page
|
There are no threads for this page.
Be the first to start a new thread.
