Month-long Ecclesiastical Embroidery exhibition opens at Ely Cathedral

More than 60 displays of Ecclesiastical Embroidery have gone on display at Ely Cathedral for a month-long exhibition, in partnership with the Royal School of Needlework.

They include pieces of needlework worked on by the Royal School that form part of its collection at Hampton Court Palace.

One of the highlights is six of the 12 Litany of Loreto panels. They were bequeathed to the school by a convent in Sussex and are rarely on public display.

Other pieces include depictions of theological figures and symbols using a wide range of threads and techniques, plus some rare examples of white work altar cloths, burses, stoles and chalices.

The exhibition also includes artefacts from Ely Cathedral’s collection including a Medieval cope, an 18th century gold vestment set and the recently restored white altar frontal.

As part of the event, an 11th century gilded bronze chasuble pin, originally from the tomb of Archbishop Wulfstan at Ely, and gifted to the Society of Antiquaries in 1771, will also feature.

The exhibition opened on Wednesday and runs until February 28. It is open from 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday and noon-4pm on Sundays.

Tickets are £8 adults, £2.50 students, under-16s free. To purchase, contact the cathedral box office on 01353 660349 or visit in person.