Pair of Gloves thumbnail 1
Pair of Gloves thumbnail 2
+2
images
Not currently on display at the V&A

Pair of Gloves

1660-1669 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This leather glove demonstrates the lavish style of metal embroidery popular in the 1660s. The whole gauntlet is encrusted with densely worked silver and silver-gilt purl (tiny coils of very fine metal wire) and strip. An edging of blue grosgrain ribbon underneath the embroidery can only just be seen. Gloves were a popular choice of gift in the 17th century. It was customary to present the monarch with a pair at New Year, and gloves were also frequently exchanged as wedding gifts.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Glove
  • Glove
Materials and techniques
Leather, silk, silver and silver-gilt thread, strip and purl; hand-sewn and hand-embroidered
Brief description
Pair of dyed kid gloves, 1660s, French; applied blue ribbon and silver/silver-gilt embroidery
Physical description
Pair of kid gloves, dyed golden brown, with cuffs outlined in aplied blue silk ribbon and embroidered with silver and silver-gilt filé, strip and purl. The cuffs are lined with blue silk taffeta and edged with bobbin lace of silver filé and strip.
Dimensions
  • T.202 1928 length: 29.0cm (approx)
  • T.202 1928 width: 15.6cm (approx)
  • T.202 a 1928 length: 28.0cm (approx)
  • T.202 a 1928 width: 15.0cm (approx)
Credit line
Given by Mr Saville Burrough
Summary
This leather glove demonstrates the lavish style of metal embroidery popular in the 1660s. The whole gauntlet is encrusted with densely worked silver and silver-gilt purl (tiny coils of very fine metal wire) and strip. An edging of blue grosgrain ribbon underneath the embroidery can only just be seen. Gloves were a popular choice of gift in the 17th century. It was customary to present the monarch with a pair at New Year, and gloves were also frequently exchanged as wedding gifts.
Bibliographic reference
Avril Hart and Susan North, Historical Fashion in Detail: the 17th and 18th centuries, London: V&A, 1998, p. 206
Collection
Accession number
T.202&A-1928

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJuly 23, 2007
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest