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Fragment of phelonion, inv. no. Тк-1550: photo 1 of 5
Photo 1 of 5
Fragment of phelonion, inv. no. Тк-1550: photo 1 of 5
Image 1 of 5
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Textiles · Embroidery

Fragment of phelonion

Inv. no. Тк-1550 · Textiles

Project: Sloboda Ukraine Code. Church Antiquities

The front is made of black pile fabric with a moderate sheen. The field of the phelonion is embroidered on the shoulder area with a floral pattern in silk thread of beige, pink, and light-blue tones. Along the edges is sewn an applied band in the form of a narrow floral garland. Full description

Date
18th century
Material
Silk fabric, canvas, silk threads
Technique
Machine weaving, hand weaving, hand embroidery, hand sewing
Dimensions
127 × 142 cm

Photo: M. F. Sumtsov Kharkiv Historical Museum · CC BY 4.0

Description

The front is made of black pile fabric with a moderate sheen. The field of the phelonion is embroidered on the shoulder area with a floral pattern in silk thread of beige, pink, and light-blue tones. Along the edges is sewn an applied band in the form of a narrow floral garland.

The reverse is lined with homespun block-printed fabric, ornamented with scattered small white trefoils on a terracotta ground.

The object entered the museum's holdings in 1956.

Note: the phelonion (Greek phailónion), or riza, is the outer, sleeveless liturgical vestment of a priest in Eastern Christianity. In church symbolism, the phelonion represents the chlamys — the outer royal garment in which Jesus Christ was dressed during his trial before Pilate.

Originally the phelonion was circular, covering the whole body from head to foot with only an opening for the head. In Ukraine, the phelonion took the form of a wide cloak, long at the back and short at the front, with a neck opening.

Record

Inventory number
Тк-1550
Title
Fragment of phelonion
Collection group
Textiles · Embroidery
Date
18th century
Material
Silk fabric, canvas, silk threads
Technique
Machine weaving, hand weaving, hand embroidery, hand sewing
Dimensions
127 × 142 cm
Digitisation
Project “Sloboda Ukraine Code. Church Antiquities”, 2026
Tradition
Orthodoxy

Updated 15 Oct 2026

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