Vestment Reproduction - Cope
This Cope is a reproduction of an old cope made in the 80's. The original cope was sent to the studio for a references without the stole. Usually the studio would not take this kind of work as i prefer to work on traditional vestments. However, this piece of vestments has its value in the history, especially those who serve in South East Asia would most probably seen or using these before.
The Original cope has a thin acetate fabric as the main body and the orphrey were made of cloth of gold with a lotus pattern. This combination was very common during that period as the hot and humid weather in South East Asia has changes the practice of vestment very much.
The cost to import liturgical fabric was too expensive and hence the original cloth of gold with lotus pattern was used for chinese scroll making as the frame surrounding the painting or caligraphy.
Notably the embroidery work was a combination of gold paper as an outline then the maroon pattern is finish with applique method.
Over the time, the original cloth of gold has started to shrink and being not able to hold the gold paper work. The Gold paper has started to curled and making the orphrey distorted.
The new reproduction is made of medium weight viscose and cloth of gold weaved in Korea. The method of embroidery is replicate exactly according to the original.
The missing stole was made according to the original layout to match the new cope.
One may notice the cope is now broader as the client has a wider shoulder and taller height.
You may have a look at the bottom for the comparison before and after.
