This Italian late 16th Century Dalmatic is a wide sleeved, long, liturgical garment with a simple, round neckline worn by deacons and bishops.  This one has red cut velvet as the background, meaning the loops formed by the  weave are all cut leaving a soft raised design. The design is a lighter rose tone, now faded, made of voided velvet, meaning it is not raised. The design consists of widely spaced and staggered pomegranates linked together by multi-lobed circles comprised of c-shaped curves. At one time the pomegranates appear to have been lightly gilded, although little gilding is visible today. Wide strips of rose colored background run down the center of the front and back, tops of the sleeves, and in smaller patches throughout the garment. It is not clear whether these areas of lighter color are  intentional, created by voided velvet, or represents wear over time. A narrow gilt band, now dulled, edges the collar, sleeves and bottom of the robe.