Heraldic tunic from the House of Orange-Nassau

Also titled Nassause wapenrok

Johan Pietersz. Smout (died 1652)

1647

Medium
linen (material), metal thread, silk
Classification
coat
Dimensions
height 90 cm x width 130 cm x depth 21 cm
Museum
Rijksmuseum
Credit line
On loan from the Koninklijk Oudheidkundig Genootschap
Rights
Public Domain Mark, as the museum states it.
Who can see it
Little Ones profiles and older: it shows gentle subjects for the very young. How works are placed

View at the Rijksmuseum

About this work

No article of clothing could be more symbolic: the arms of Prince Frederick Hendrick of Orange-Nassau are embroidered on the front, back, and sleeves. This ‘heraldic tunic’ was made for his state funeral in Delft on 10 May 1647. It was carried in the procession to demonstrate the deceased’s status and rank. Four such tunics were worn by heralds, and a fifth, symbolizing the dead prince, was borne aloft on a pole.