Antependia are, as we have noted here many times before, a part of of the 'vesting' of the altar, and their use really are considered the 'default' -- which is to say, ithe use of antependia in the liturgical colour of the day or season is understood to be the norm, not the exception.
In recent years we have been blessed to see a revival in the regular use of antependia and so presenting historical examples such as these seems to be a useful exercise both as a way to further encourage such revivals, while also providing templates and ideas for parishes and liturgical artisans who seek to create these things anew in our own times.
All of the examples we will share here today are dated to the 18th and 19th centuries, a period of time when the symbol of the Dove, representing the Holy Spirit, came into the form we most tend to most see and recognize in our own time. We hope you will find them souces of inspiration as well as edification.
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| 18th century |
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| 18th century |
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| 18th century |
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| 1800-1850 |
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| Less a traditional frontal proper than perhaps a fixed altar facing, but it would appear it is partially a textile and inserted behind the gilt frame. Dated to 1850-1899 |
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| 19th century |
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As a bonus, here are two antependia which, while not in red, and thus not for use on Ptenecost, nonetheless feature images of the Holy Spirit.
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| Circa 1700. Basilica of Notre Dame in Montreal |
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| 18th century |
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