Ecclesiastical art and vestments refer to the artistic and functional objects used in Christian religious settings, particularly in churches. To understand Ecclesiastical Art terms, it is important to recognise that these include liturgical garments, sacred vessels, church furnishings, and devotional artworks.
Liturgical Vestments and Accessories
- Alb – A long, white linen tunic worn by clergy and servers during liturgical ceremonies.
- Amice – A rectangular cloth with two strings worn around the neck and shoulders by priests under other vestments.
- Apparel – Ornamental embroidered or decorated patches on ecclesiastical garments.
- Chasuble – The outermost liturgical vestment worn by priests during Mass, often adorned with orphreys.
- Cope – A semicircular cape worn by clergy during non-Eucharistic services or processions.
- Dalmatic – A wide-sleeved tunic worn by deacons, similar to a chasuble but with open sides.
- Faldstool – A small folding stool bishops and clergy use during certain liturgical functions.
- Maniple – A narrow band of fabric worn on the left forearm by clergy as a symbol of service.
- Miter – A ceremonial headdress worn by bishops and abbots, often decorated with gold and embroidery.
- Morse – A large, often jewelled, clasp fastens a cope at the chest.
- Orphrey – An embroidered band or decorative stripe on ecclesiastical vestments.
- Stole – A long, narrow scarf-like vestment worn by priests and deacons, symbolizing authority.
- Tunicle – A vestment similar to a dalmatic worn by subdeacons and some clergy.
Sacred Vessels and Church Furnishings
- Almoner’s Cupboard – A storage place for distributing alms or food to the poor, often found in monasteries.
- Alms Dish – A large, decorated plate or bowl used for collecting monetary offerings during services.
- Ampulla – A small vessel that holds consecrated oil, such as chrism.
- Aquamanale – A vessel used for ceremonial hand-washing in church rituals.
- Baptismal Basin – A large bowl used for the baptism ritual.
- Burse – A square, fabric-covered case used to hold the corporal, a linen cloth for the Eucharist.
- Canister – A container used to store incense, bread, or other liturgical items.
- Censer – A metal vessel suspended by chains used for burning incense.
- Chalice – A sacred cup used to hold the Eucharistic wine during Communion.
- Chrismatory – A set of vessels for holding sacred oils used in baptism, confirmation, and anointing of the sick.
- Ciborium – A covered container used to store consecrated Eucharistic hosts.
- Communion Cup – A vessel used to distribute consecrated wine during Holy Communion.
- Corporal Case – A container for storing the corporal, a linen cloth used in the Eucharist.
- Cruet – A small glass or metal container for holding wine or water for the Eucharist.
- Dole Cupboard – A storage place for food or alms given to the needy, commonly found in medieval monasteries.
- Feretory – A portable shrine or reliquary used to hold the remains of saints.
- Flabellum – A ceremonial fan used in liturgical processions to protect the Eucharist from insects.
- Frontal – A decorated cloth or panel covering the front of an altar.
- Incense Boat – A small container holds incense before it is placed in the censer.
- Lectern – A stand for holding books or scriptures, used in church readings.
- Monstrance – A sacred vessel with a glass window used to display the consecrated Eucharist for adoration.
- Paten is a small, shallow plate holding the Eucharistic bread during Mass.
- Prie-Dieu – A small kneeling bench with a slanted top used for private prayer.
- Pyx – A small, round container used to carry consecrated Eucharistic hosts to the sick or homebound.
- Reliquary – A container or shrine that houses sacred relics, such as the remains of saints.
- Sacristy – A room in a church where vestments, sacred vessels, and other liturgical items are stored.
- Sanctuary Lamp – A lamp, often red, kept burning to indicate the presence of the Eucharist in the Tabernacle.
- Shrine – A sacred space or structure dedicated to a saint or religious figure, often containing relics.
- Tabernacle – A locked, often ornate, box where the consecrated Eucharist is reserved.
- Thurible – A metal censer suspended by chains used for burning incense during religious services.
Ecclesiastical Art and Ornamentation
- Baldachin – A canopy, often supported by columns, placed over an altar or throne.
- Calamus – A reed pen or stylus used for writing in medieval scriptoria and religious manuscripts.
- Châsse – A richly decorated reliquary, often in the form of a miniature church or casket.
- Christmas Nativity Art – Artistic representations of the birth of Christ, including paintings, sculptures, and crèches.
- Crèche Art – A sculptural or artistic depiction of the Nativity scene.
- Diptych – A two-paneled artwork, often depicting religious scenes or saints.
- Dossal – A decorative fabric or panel behind an altar, often embroidered or painted with religious imagery.
- Glastonbury Chair – A medieval-style folding chair associated with monastic and ecclesiastical use.
- Misericord – A small wooden ledge on the underside of a folding church seat, used for support during long services.
- Pome – A spherical ornament, often attached to a staff or a bishop’s crozier.
- Poppy Head – A carved decorative finial, often found on church pews and choir stalls.
- Putz – A decorative Christmas nativity scene, common in German traditions.
- Triptych – A three-paneled religious artwork, often used as an altarpiece.
This comprehensive list provides an overview of key terms related to ecclesiastical art, liturgical vestments, and sacred objects used in Christian traditions.
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