Superfrontale

Superfrontale

a term applied to —

1. The back wall of the altar, which received either stone-reliefs or a metal covering with embossed designs and enamelwork.

2. The modern name for a covering for the top of the altar, which commonly hangs down about six inches all round and is fringed. It is ordinarily made of silk velvet, satin, or damask, and is placed over the three white linen cloths, which customarily cover and preserve the altar slab.