Lentorama 2013: There's a Name for That

Day 7: burse

So there are a number of cloths that are used in relationship to the chalice, the vessel that holds the sacramental wine, and most have been used for centuries. One that you're not likely to see in practice anymore is the burse. The purpose of the burse was simple - it was the cloth that covered everything else. 

Not that it was a cloth like the others. It was actually two pieces of cardboard, bound together and covered with cloth so there was a hinge in the middle. It would then stand on its ends, with one side left open so the chalice and everything else could be slid under it.