The deceased is dressed in an alb, a mostly white linen garment that reaches down to the ankles, which has evolved from the ancient tunic and is used by priests as an undergarment under the chasuble. Over this he wears a wide cloak, which is held at the neck with a rosette clasp. His head is covered by an almutia that extends over his shoulders and ends in two rounded points at the top. This fur-lined head and shoulder covering was part of the choir dress of canons in the 14th and 15th centuries. The eye-catching points or "ears" are caused by the head covering underneath, the biretta.
He was the son of Count Johann II of Katzenelnbogen and his wife Elisabeth of Isenburg-Limburg. While his older brother Diether succeeded his father as Count of Katzenelnbogen, Gerhard was destined for a career in the clergy. In 1368, he is documented as pastor of the parish church of Modau near Darmstadt. In 1377 he was canon in Trier and in 1380 cathedral provost in Speyer. He died in 1402 and was buried in Eberbach Monastery, where other members of the Katzenelnbogen family had already found their final resting place.
Source: German Inscriptions Online (43, no. 163), Academy of Sciences Mainz
Image of the tomb: Michael Leukel
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