Hierarchy classification:

1. top of the aat hierarchies
2. Objects Facet
3. Furnishings and Equipment (hierarchy name)
4. Furnishings (hierarchy name)
5. furnishings (works)
6. [furnishings by form or function]
7. coverings and hangings
8. [coverings and hangings by specific type]
9. [coverings and hangings by location or context]
10. [coverings and hangings for religious building fixtures]
11. [coverings and hangings for altars and altar components]

Narrower term/s

• Lenten veils

Anotations

Scope note:

Curtains hung around the altar, particularly in a temple or church. They were hung in front of, or to close off the sides of, an altar during the service. As with rood screens, altar veils were liturgical barriers marking the boundaries between the congregation's space and the holy of holies; the Lenten veil is a type of altar veil, used in Catholic and other churches in the season prior to Easter. Beginning in the early days of the Reformation, altar vela began to be used in certain Protestant churches during the entire liturgical year. In some cases, altar veils may be associated with the "altar canopy."