Sets of Dalmatics
( number of products: 7 )Dalmatics are beautiful and important vestments, and like all the others, play a key part in several liturgical services. Deacons and other clergymen will always have a plethora of vestments to hand in order to be appropriately dressed for the demands of service and to meet the needs of their busy schedules and sets of dalmatics are no different. We look today at what the dalmatic is, and the different categories that can make up dalmatic sets.
These important vestments are available to order at vestment.co.uk.
The Dalmatic
A dalmatic is a type of vestment, an ecclesiastical garment very similar in shape to a tunic or a scapular. A long item of clothing that falls down to the knees, dalmatics are T-shaped with wide sleeves and long slits either side of the body. The dalmatic is the proper vestment for deacons to wear at Mass and other eucharistic services. A dalmatic can also be worn by bishops - over the alb - although this is infrequent.
A dalmatic is very similar to the chasubles worn by priests and bishops, they are both worn as outer garments and often highly decorated and beautiful pieces. Being an outer garment, dalmatics usually signify the appropriate colour of the liturgical calendar, and sets of dalmatics are often found to have matching chasuble counterparts made from the same materials. Usually characterised by two long vertical stripes that run across the body from the top to the bottom which can be connected by two orphrey bars running horizontally between them.
The dalmatic most likely hails from the humble tunic, and developed within the city of its namesake, Dalmatia, in modern day Croatia. By the third century the dalmatic was in popular use with the upper class women of the day, and over the centuries since have evolved to become the highly decorated and blessed garb that we know today.
Roman Dalmatic
Much like their chasuble cousins, dalmatics are often split into two subcategories, Roman and gothic. A Roman dalmatic is a lustrous and beautiful garment, usually made from fine materials such as silk - they are bulky, eye-catching, and grand. Roman dalmatics are often bright and colourful, depending on the season when they are worn, and embellished with intricate embroidery patterned from top to bottom. They are often very exquisite to behold and feature beautiful ornamentation and religious imagery, the orphrey bars often golden and holding delicate motifs along the length.
Sets of dalmatics containing Roman versions of the vestment will certainly be striking and impressive pieces.
Gothic Dalmatic
Again, similar to their chasuble cousins the gothic variations of the dalmatics tend to favor function over grandeur. Hailing from the medieval gothic periods of Europe, gothic dalmatics tend towards functionality and are often made from lighter and simpler materials, being less bulky in stature and sitting straighter on the frame.
Although less complicated than their Roman counterparts, the gothic dalmatic is still a beautiful piece and should not be underestimated. They are often patterned and brightly coloured, adorned with liturgical symbols and motifs - the orphrey bands can either contain a design or be solid and plain.
In Conclusion
Much like the church itself, the dalmatic has evolved from very humble beginnings, touching the hearts of many, and gaining favor as a highly regarded vestment to become the go to for deacons around the globe. Sets of dalmatics feature in the arsenal of ecclesiastical garb that clergy across the world use to their favour and are often donned for services of celebration as their wearers serve the church.
