Silver brocade altar veil. Late 19th - early 20th century. This "Покровец" altar veil is intended to cover the chalice or diskos. It is generally made of the same fabric as the liturgical vestments. This example is in silver and cream brocade, lined with cream silk. It is shaped like a cross, with four fringed branches around a central square on which a trefoil cross is sewn. On the back of one of the branches is sewn a fabric label with inscriptions: "6815" and "Р. Ч/c". A label "ву сщддусешщт" antique in strong paper is attached with an English text that says this chalice cover was once used in a Moscow cathedral under former Tsar Nicholas II and was confiscated among ecclesiastical treasures by the Soviet government. 50 x 50 cm [Russian art]