Cream kid gloves for Othello worn by Charles Kemble in 'Othello', Covent Garden, 1835

Gloves for Othello worn by Charles Kemble.
Pair of cream kid gloves embroidered with a winged lion of Venice and leaf and mythological design in crimson and black silk, appliqued with silver metal thread and embroidered with 'Othello' and 'Generale' in black thread on white.

Given by Messrs Harrods Ltd.

Gloves for Othello worn by Charles Kemble in William Shakespeare's play 'Othello'
The gloves were originally part of the Talbot Hughes collection, purchased by Harrods in 1913 for the V&A. The file (Harrods 1910) contains a letter from Sir Cecil H Smith of the V&A to E W Wallington at Buckingham Palace, explaining about the Talbot Hughes collection and referring to the gloves as 'a pair of gloves, which were made for Charles Kemble for his impersonation of Othello: they are embroidered on the back with the lion of Venice and the inscription "General Othello." '

Transferred to the Theatre Museum 1980. Original memo contains Registered description: 'Pair of gloves in yellow kid embroidered with the lion of Venice. Said to have been used by Kemble. First half of 19th century.' Textiles comment: the gloves would appear to be theatrical.

Charles Kemble played Othello at Covent Garden 21st December 1835. There seems no reason to connect the gloves with John Philip Kemble, as suggested in the note from Jennifer Aylmer on file 80/1852

Provenance: Talbot Hughes. Given to the Department of Textiles by Messrs. Harrods 1913

Reason For Production: Commission

T.640&A-1913