The dalmatic is a long wide-sleeved tunic, which serves as a liturgical vestment in the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and United Methodist Churches, which is sometimes worn by a deacon at the Mass or other services. Although infrequent, it may also be worn by bishops above the alb and below the chasuble (See our Pontifical Dalmatics Page for these options).

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In the Roman Empire, the dalmatic was an amply sleeved tunic with wide stripes (clavi) that were sometimes worked with elaborate designs. Dalmatics had become typical attire for upper-class women in the latter part of the 3rd century AD. They are pictured in a few funerary portraits on shrouds from Antinoopolis in Roman Egypt. Literary sources record dalmatics as imperial gifts to individuals.

 

It was a normal item of clothing at the time when ecclesiastical clothes began to develop separately around the fourth century, worn over a longer tunic by the upper classes, and as the longest part of the dress of men of lower rank.

 

The dalmatic was a garment of Byzantine dress and was adopted by Emperor Paul I of the Russian Empire as a coronation and liturgical vestment. In Orthodox icons of Jesus Christ as King and Great High Priest he is shown in a dalmatic.

 

Like the chasuble worn by priests and bishops, it is an outer vestment and is supposed to match the liturgical colors of the day.

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The range shown below utilises the finest in fabrics from around the world and are expertly constructed in Rome with many aspects completed by hand. 

 

With this in mind we do ask you for your pateince when odrering a Dalmatic as leadtimes can often be circa 8 weeks.

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All Dalmatics come complete with matching Deacon Stole to complete the garment.