Jewish Men’s Clothing

Reader’s Note: One of the challenging aspects of researching Jewish clothing in the medieval period is distinguishing between the images presented by non-Jewish artists from those presented by Jewish artists. I feel that it’s of paramount importance to try to present Jewish figures as they are perceived and created by Jewish persons, rather than trying to shift through the layered political and social meaning that weight down non-Jewish portrayals.

For this reason, I’ve primarily chosen to use images drawn from Jewish sources; namely, the many 14th century Spanish Haggadot (liturgical texts, used at Seder, based on the Exodus story).

Saya/Gonela

The Flight From Egypt. 1320-1330. The Golden Haggadah. British Library MS 27210.

The figure to the left is wearing a cream or natural (probably wool) loose gonela over blue hosen, with a blue hood and red barrett.

The figures below below are wearing red or blue loose gonelas with embroidery or woven decorations, over black hosen.

Preparation of the Paschal Lamb. 14th c. The Rylands Haggadah. John Rylands Library.

L to R:

  1. 1320-1330. The Golden Haggadah. British Library MS 27210.

  2. Distribution of Bread. 14th c. The Rylands Haggadah. John Rylands Library.

  3. Preparation of the Paschal Lamb. 14th c. The Rylands Haggadah. John Rylands Library.

  4. The Flight From Egypt. 1320-1330. The Golden Haggadah. British Library MS 27210.

Cota

The figures below appear to be wearing cotas under their gonelas or garnaches - the cotas can be distinguished by the buttons on the sleeves.

L to R:

  1. Serving men wearing red cotas. The Celebration of the Seder. 14th c. The Rylands Haggadah. John Rylands Library.

  2. Man wearing blue cota under pink gonela. The Celebration of the Seder. 14th c. The Rylands Haggadah. John Rylands Library.

  3. Man wearing green cota under orance garnache, boys wearing cotas under garnaches. 14th c. Kaufmann Haggadah (MS Kaufmann A 422)

  4. All figures wearing buttoned cotas under garnaches. Aaron’s Staff Swallows the Magicians’ Staffs. The Sarajevo Haggadah

Garnacha

L to R:

  1. 14th c. Kaufmann Haggadah (MS Kaufmann A 422)

  2. Aaron’s Staff Swallows the Magicians’ Staffs. The Sarajevo Haggadah

  3. The Celebration of the Seder. 14th c. The Rylands Haggadah. John Rylands Library.

  4. The Celebration of the Seder. 14th c. The Rylands Haggadah. John Rylands Library.