Mittens
1790-1800 (made)
| Place of origin |
Mittens were a popular lightweight alternative to gloves for women, freeing their fingers for embroidery and other domestic tasks.
Mittens were made from soft leather, silk or other material and were usually elbow-length. 18th century examples would often have decorated linings under the curved flap that covered the fingers which would be turned back to leave the hands more free.
Designs on the flaps often feature flowers and leaf designs and echo the decoration of bodices, skirts and petticoats.
Mittens were made from soft leather, silk or other material and were usually elbow-length. 18th century examples would often have decorated linings under the curved flap that covered the fingers which would be turned back to leave the hands more free.
Designs on the flaps often feature flowers and leaf designs and echo the decoration of bodices, skirts and petticoats.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Woven cotton lawn, part lined with hand painted cotton, hand sewn |
| Brief description | A pair of woman's mittens, elbow-length, made of cotton part-lined with resist- and mordant-dyed Indian cotton, Britain, 1775-1800 |
| Physical description | Pair of elbow-length cream fine cotton mittens. The flap at the top of each is lined with cotton painted with resist- and mordant-dyed Indian cotton, in pink, purple, and green floral pattern. The thumb piece on each has been stitched on separately. |
| Summary | Mittens were a popular lightweight alternative to gloves for women, freeing their fingers for embroidery and other domestic tasks. Mittens were made from soft leather, silk or other material and were usually elbow-length. 18th century examples would often have decorated linings under the curved flap that covered the fingers which would be turned back to leave the hands more free. Designs on the flaps often feature flowers and leaf designs and echo the decoration of bodices, skirts and petticoats. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.56:1&2-2002 |
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| Record created | October 1, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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