Yvonne Bell - Vestment Showroom

Yvonne Bell - Church Vestments, Icons, Christian Art

Vestment Showroom

As this site develops we will bring you pictures of our favourite commissions.

The Birmingham Cathedral new vestments were launched at the Christian Resources Exhibitions (CRE) at the NEC, Birmingham, England, on Wednesday 11 November 1998. These attracted some coverage in the UK media - papers and TV. Click here to see more.

Another project we are especially pleased with is a lightweight White Cope. This was a wool polyester blend material cope with painted dupion silk decoration. These simple materials and elegant design made up so well. Picture 1 shows the hood on the back of this cope; picture 2, the details from the front fastening (morse.)

Yvonne works closely with clients to produce something that will be a real tool in their ministry. One of recent challenges was to provide a way of allowing one priest to carry on his work introducing people to the value of images in prayer. He had a number of orthodox icons that had meant something to him as his ministry has developed. Yvonne painted these images onto silk and appliqued these onto a hooded stole.

Left shoulder is an icon of The Mother of God, Hodigitria, 15th Century, Novgorod school. Beneath this is a simplified version of the Descent into Hell, the resurrection icon that shows Jesus redeeming Adam and Eve, Novgorod school, 15th Century

Right shoulder is a depiction of the icon in encaustic at St Catherine's Monastery in Sinai circa 6th Century. Beneath this is a slightly simplified version of the Transfiguration, Novgorod school, 15th Century

On the hood there is The Hospitality of Abraham (also known as the Trinity) after Andre Rublev of the Novgorod school

Yvonne often finds that customers ideas can inspire her beyond her expectations. This unconventional but colourful "stole for all seasons" started from a conversation with a client. The stole is hand painted on silk and has a "stained glass" effect.

Click on the pictures to see more detail.

detail

The next few pictures are detail from a variety of stoles which have reflected clients' spirituality, journey to God or place of work.

10	11	12
13	14

10	Celtic Christian symbolism has increased in popularity over recent years. This green stole was simply decorated with not so simple celtic roundels.
11	A celtic cross with the central circle painted in as the globe of earth. The wind and fire of Pentecost is also hinted at in this design. Detail from a white stole.
12	A tau cross and the traditional picture of St Francis formed the basis for a white stole.

13	A combination of iconography, celtic symbols and natural symbolism on a white stole. The icon is from the prototype Mother of God of Valdimire. The cross is a simple celtic traditional shape. The sheep refers to the pastoral traditions of Christianity: shepherd and lamb.
14	This green stole was designed for the clients place of ministry. The fish are those found where the Atlantic meets the English Channel.

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Yvonne Bell provides a personalised design service for all. Each item is designed for the person or place where it will be used. We'll help you choose materials that work to your budget and design for your purpose. Contact us about individual vestments at catalogue prices.