Antependium

Example of a 20th century antependium. Example of a 20th century antependium.

An antependium is a decorative piece of cloth, metal or stone, which hangs or is placed in front of the altar, lectern or pulpit in a Christian church, and which is used by various Christian denominations. The cloth versions may be made of a decorative textile, such as brocade and damask, and it may be embroidered.

The colours used for the antependium mostly follow those of the liturgical calendar. The term antependium derives from the Latin words ante- and pendere, meaning 'to hang in front of'. Sometimes, the word parament (from Latin parare, 'to make ready') is used for this and other liturgical items made of cloth.

See also the TRC Needles entries on altar cloth and altar frontal.

Digital source of illustration (retrieved 22 June 2016).

GVE

Last modified on Saturday, 22 April 2017 19:07
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