Glove
1625-1650 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Gloves could serve several purposes in early 17th century Britain, apart from the obvious ones of protection and warmth. Many were solely decorative, to display the wealth and status of their owner. They were worn in the hat or belt, as well as carried in the hand. Gloves were popular as gifts and were exchanged as a gesture of engagement or wedding present. In combat, a glove was thrown down as a gage, or challenge.
Ornately embroidered gloves served official purposes, signifying the holding of a civic office or membership in the local freemanry. They were also a popular New Year’s gift to the monarch. Gloves were frequently given as a sign of royal favour. The wardrobe accounts for Charles I record the making of more than 1,000 pairs of gloves during a three-year period.
Ornately embroidered gloves served official purposes, signifying the holding of a civic office or membership in the local freemanry. They were also a popular New Year’s gift to the monarch. Gloves were frequently given as a sign of royal favour. The wardrobe accounts for Charles I record the making of more than 1,000 pairs of gloves during a three-year period.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Kidskin, silk taffeta, silk plush, silver thread, silk thread; hand sewn, hand embroidered |
| Brief description | Glove, embroidered leather, 1625-1650, British; silver & silk, coral silk plush. |
| Physical description | A right glove of dyed kidskin embroidered at the cuff with padded and raised silk and silver thread, with applied silver ribbon. The cuff is lined with coral silk taffeta and edged with coral silk plush. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Summary | Gloves could serve several purposes in early 17th century Britain, apart from the obvious ones of protection and warmth. Many were solely decorative, to display the wealth and status of their owner. They were worn in the hat or belt, as well as carried in the hand. Gloves were popular as gifts and were exchanged as a gesture of engagement or wedding present. In combat, a glove was thrown down as a gage, or challenge. Ornately embroidered gloves served official purposes, signifying the holding of a civic office or membership in the local freemanry. They were also a popular New Year’s gift to the monarch. Gloves were frequently given as a sign of royal favour. The wardrobe accounts for Charles I record the making of more than 1,000 pairs of gloves during a three-year period. |
| Bibliographic reference | John Lea Nevinson, Catalogue of English Domestic Embroidery of the Sixteenth & Seventeenth Centuries, Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Textiles, London: HMSO, 1938, p.95 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 842-1898 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | July 15, 2008 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
