Stock Photo - 1962 - 14th Century cope acquired for the nation for -33,000; The remarkable vestment known as the Butler Bowdon cope has been acquired for the nation for -33,000 and is now on public view at the Victoria and Albert Museum. It is a very fine example of Opus Anglicasum (English Embroidery) dating from the third decade of the 14th century. The design is embroidered with colored silks silver gilt and silver thread, pearls and beads, and small metal rings, on crimson velvet. Three concentric zones of arcading, spread over the surface of the vestment, frame three central scenes (the Coronation of the Virgin; the Adoration of the Nagi; and the Annunciation) and twenty four standing figures ranged on either side. Between the three arcades, two smaller zones are formed by the spandrela, each of which contains an angel with wings outspread, enthroned and holding a star. The original cophrey (border) and lower border are present. but the morse (fastening) is missing. It is possible to identify the majority of the saints depicted. The vestment has been badly mutilated and at some time was out up to provide material for a under shaped chasuble; frontal, stole, maniple, and either small objects. These fragments were carefully reassembled during the 19th century and missing portions sketched on a new backing. The needlework is stitched through the velvet ground not worked apart and then applied to it, as became customary a century later. To make such a direct procedure possible the velvet has been overlaid with a thin fabric before embroidering. The inner layer is clearly visible on worn parts. The silk embroidery in mainly in split and satin stitches, French knots, and laid and couched work. Pearls were once present in great quantity, but few have survived; a few green heads simulate jewels as crowns and eyes in the lions 'masks. The cope is 7 ft, 4 in wide and 5ft 6 in high. (Credit Image: © Keystone Pictures USA/ZUMAPRESS.com)