Mitten thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Mitten

1500-1599 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Mittens such as these were worn primarily by workmen. They are a fairly common archaeological discovery and they are frequently found in waterlogged environments, such as the mud on river banks. It is made from sturdy leather and would have been very hard-wearing.

Recycling and reuse was common, and this one has been repaired with a small leather panel stitched over a probable tear on the thumb. The stitch holes along the front and back may at first appear to be evidence of missing decoration, but probably suggest that the glove is made of leather reused from another item.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Hand stitched leather
Brief description
mitten for left hand; leather, 1500-99, English
Physical description
Unlined and undecorated mitten for the left hand, formed from three pieces of leather, blackened, extra leather pad applied to thumb possibly as a repair. There are small tears on the palm and near the wrist opening, and stitch holes are present on the back and across the palm.
Dimensions
  • Wrist to fingertip length: 23cm
  • Thumb length: 9.5cm
  • Wrist opening width: 12cm
Credit line
Given by Messrs Harrods Ltd.
Historical context
mittens such as these were primarily workmens' gloves and were very hardwearing, made from sturdy leather
Summary
Mittens such as these were worn primarily by workmen. They are a fairly common archaeological discovery and they are frequently found in waterlogged environments, such as the mud on river banks. It is made from sturdy leather and would have been very hard-wearing.

Recycling and reuse was common, and this one has been repaired with a small leather panel stitched over a probable tear on the thumb. The stitch holes along the front and back may at first appear to be evidence of missing decoration, but probably suggest that the glove is made of leather reused from another item.
Collection
Accession number
T.621-1913

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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