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Glove

1600-1610 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Gloves were essential accessories in 17th century Britain; only the most destitute would go outdoors with their hands uncovered. In addition to providing protection and warmth, the purpose of many gloves was 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. 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. Gloves were popular as gifts, particularly as a New Year’s gift to the monarch and they were frequently given as a sign of royal favour. Recent studies of the marriage ceremony in late Tudor and early Jacobean England show that accessories, particularly gloves were frequently exchanged between men and women. This may explain why so many survive in museum collections.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Kidskin, silk, silver thread, silver-gilt thread, silk thread; hand sewn, hand embroidered, hand lace-making
Brief description
Glove, embroidered leather, 1600-1610, British, silver & silk on white satin, pierced palm, left
Physical description
A left glove of kidskin with applied white satin cuffe, embroidered with coloured silks and couched with silver thread and purl in a floral pattern. The cuff is lined and edged with coral-pink silk. The cuff is open at the side and held with 3 coral silk ribbons edged with silver-gilt bobbin lace. The seams around the thumb and at the back of the hand are couched with silver thread. The palm of the glove is pierced.
Dimensions
  • Approx., overall length: 33.0cm
  • Approx., overall width: 19.2cm
  • Approx., overall width: 8.0cm
Summary
Gloves were essential accessories in 17th century Britain; only the most destitute would go outdoors with their hands uncovered. In addition to providing protection and warmth, the purpose of many gloves was 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. 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. Gloves were popular as gifts, particularly as a New Year’s gift to the monarch and they were frequently given as a sign of royal favour. Recent studies of the marriage ceremony in late Tudor and early Jacobean England show that accessories, particularly gloves were frequently exchanged between men and women. This may explain why so many survive in museum collections.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.137-1923

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Record createdJuly 17, 2008
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