Antonin Scalia's Supreme Court Chair and Bench Draped in Black

The tradition dates back to at least 1873.

ByABC News
February 16, 2016, 10:35 AM

— -- Justice Antonin Scalia’s Supreme Court chair and the section of the bench directly in front of it have been draped with black wool crepe in memory of the late jurist, the court announced this morning.

PHOTO: The courtroom of the Supreme Court showing Associate Justice Antonin Scalia's bench chair and the bench in front of his seat draped in black following his death on Feb. 13, 2016.
The courtroom of the Supreme Court showing Associate Justice Antonin Scalia's bench chair and the bench in front of his seat draped in black following his death on Feb. 13, 2016.
PHOTO: The Courtroom of the Supreme Court showing Associate Justice Antonin Scalia's bench chair and the bench in front of his seat draped in black following his death on Feb. 13, 2016.
The Courtroom of the Supreme Court showing Associate Justice Antonin Scalia's bench chair and the bench in front of his seat draped in black following his death on Feb. 13, 2016.

A black drape also hangs over the courtroom doors, in keeping with Supreme Court tradition that dates back to at least the death of Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase in 1873, the court said.

PHOTO: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia waits for the beginning of the taping of "The Kalb Report" in Washington, April 17, 2014.
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia waits for the beginning of the taping of "The Kalb Report" in Washington, April 17, 2014.

The flags on the court’s front plaza will be flown at half-staff for 30 days.

The 79-year-old justice died over the weekend while on a quail-hunting trip in Texas. Scalia's death was determined to be the result of natural causes.