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Ader
237
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A Jijin liturgical headdress – ??, worn by Catholic priests …
See original version (French)
237
-
A Jijin liturgical headdress – ??, worn by Catholic priests …
See original version (French)
Estimate €500 - €600
Voluntary lot
Description
A Jijin liturgical headdress – ??, worn by Catholic priests and missionaries in China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
Made of black silk satin, square in shape and foldable flat for storage and transport, embroidered with multicoloured silk and gold metallic threads depicting Christian symbols on each side: the Chalice and the radiant Host bearing the coat of arms of the Society of Jesus, accompanied by a cross and the three nails of the crucifixion. The Dove of the Holy Spirit flying in a halo of light above a stylised bunch of grapes symbolising the blood of Christ. The Sacred Heart of Jesus above a crescent moon surmounted by red flames and three flowers. It represents divine love and devotion to the Sacred Heart, which was widespread amongst Jesuit and Lazarist missionaries. The Immaculate Heart of Mary (or second Heart), surmounted by a four-petalled flower symbolising the cross, with the three nails of the Passion depicted at the base. These motifs are framed by Chinese-inspired borders depicting ruyi heads, plum blossoms and orchids, lotus flowers, rocks and endless knots. The headdress is extended by two long ribbons embroidered with peony blossoms.
16 x 16 cm; length: 102.5 cm
The jijin – ??, literally ‘ceremonial cloth’ – is a liturgical headdress adopted by Catholic priests and missionaries in China from the 17th century onwards. Its use was officially authorised in 1615 by Pope Paul V, at the request of the Jesuits, in order to take account of the customs and conventions of Chinese society. Indeed, appearing bareheaded before a person of higher rank was traditionally considered a sign of disrespect or humiliation. The jijin thus allowed the priest to remain covered whilst celebrating Mass, whilst affirming his religious status. Its square shape, inspired by traditional Chinese headdresses, reflects the missionaries’ adaptation to local customs. Usually made of brocaded silk, it consists of a square cap with panels extending down around the head and down the back. The corners are often adorned with cords or ties. The ornamentation, deeply Christian in nature, thus combines a Chinese form with symbols of the Passion of Christ, the Crucifixion and the Catholic faith. The use of the jijin was confirmed by Clement X in 1673 and it continued to be worn by the Chinese Catholic clergy for several centuries. It thus stands as a remarkable testament to the convergence of Chinese sartorial tradition and Catholic liturgy. Its use gradually declined at the beginning of the 20th century with the westernisation of ecclesiastical practices and virtually disappeared after the First Chinese Council in Shanghai in 1924. The surviving examples are now rare and offer a particularly valuable insight into the history of the early Catholic missions in China.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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