Lappet
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A lappet is a decorative flap or fold in a ceremonial headdress or garment. They were a feature of women's headgear until the early 20th century. They remain strongly associated with religion. Each bishop's mitre contains two lappets. The most famous usage of lappets occurs on the Papal Tiara. Lappets also feature on some animals.
[edit] Lappets and the papal tiara
The lady is wearing lappets hanging down on each side of her neck.
Each papal tiara since early mediæval times contained two lappets. Their origins remain a mystery. It has been speculated that lappets first were added to papal tiaras as a form of sweatband, with inner cloth being used to prevent popes from sweating too heavily during papal ceremonial in hot Roman summers.
Papal lappets on tiaras were traditionally highly decorated, with intricate stitching in gold thread. Often a pope who either commissioned a tiara, received it as a gift, or who had it remodelled for their usage, had their coat of arms stitched on to the lappets. (See image right)
Many later papal lappets were made of embroidered silk and used lace.
The last tiara to be manufactured, and which was created for Pope Paul VI in 1963, also contained lappets.
The mitres worn by Bishops of certain religious denominations, such as the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England also contain lappets.
[edit] Lappets in the animal kingdom
The word is also used to refer to flap-like structures that occur on some animals. For instance, the Lappet-faced vulture has lappets of bare flesh on the sides of its head.
| Parts of a Crown |
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half-arch | band | monde | cap | cross | cross pattee | Lappet |
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