Bead «Brocade».

The magnificent bead with an intricate pattern, decorated with gold and bright colored enamel, resembles an ancient precious brocade. This is a dense silk fabric with an ornament of gold or silver drawn threads. Brocade was traditionally used to sew garments for high-ranking persons and clergy. This tradition came to us from Byzantium: from the East too the precious fabric was brought to Rus until the 17th century. Later, by decree of Peter I, the wearing of traditional royal attire was forbidden, and therefore such vestments were preserved only among the clergy – up to the present day.