Humeral Veil
Spain or Middle East
Humeral Veil, late 16th or early 17th century
Silk, gold and silver thread
109 1/16 × 25 13/16 in., 2.8 lb. (277 × 65.5 cm, 1.27 kg)
Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem
© The Frick Collection
Between 1187 and 1917, Jerusalem was under Muslim rule, first under the Egyptian Mamluks and later under the Turkish Ottomans. This object reflects the encounter between Islam and Christianity. A Muslim textile for clothing or furnishing was transformed into a Christian object, a humeral veil, a long scarf worn over the shoulders by the priest and falling to the sides. When carrying the Holy Sacrament, the priest uses the humeral veil to hold the monstrance. This veil is decorated with the arms of King Philip II of Spain (r. 1556–98).