Glove Stretchers
1870-1900 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This pair of glove stretchers might have belonged to either a man or a woman. They were used to help ease tight kid gloves so that they would fit over the fingers. They also helped restore the fingers of the gloves after washing, which made them wrinkled and stiff. The user would place the pointed end of the glove stretcher into the finger of a glove and then compress the handle together so that the two ends splayed out, hence stretching the kid leather.
Time
This example is probably from the latter part of the 19th century as it has a spring mechanism to ease movement. Late 19th-century glove stretchers often had this improvement.
Ownership & Use
During the 19th century the essential mark of a lady was to have small hands and feet. It was partly for this reason that close-fitting gloves were worn. A well-fitting glove was also an important complement to the tailored appearance of men's clothing. Glove stretchers therefore became a vital wardrobe accessory as they assisted the wearer in easing their gloves.
This pair of glove stretchers might have belonged to either a man or a woman. They were used to help ease tight kid gloves so that they would fit over the fingers. They also helped restore the fingers of the gloves after washing, which made them wrinkled and stiff. The user would place the pointed end of the glove stretcher into the finger of a glove and then compress the handle together so that the two ends splayed out, hence stretching the kid leather.
Time
This example is probably from the latter part of the 19th century as it has a spring mechanism to ease movement. Late 19th-century glove stretchers often had this improvement.
Ownership & Use
During the 19th century the essential mark of a lady was to have small hands and feet. It was partly for this reason that close-fitting gloves were worn. A well-fitting glove was also an important complement to the tailored appearance of men's clothing. Glove stretchers therefore became a vital wardrobe accessory as they assisted the wearer in easing their gloves.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Carved ivory handles held in place by brass rivets and steel spring mechanism |
| Brief description | Glove stretchers, carved ivory handles with brass rivets and steel spring, made in Britain, 1870-1900 |
| Physical description | Glove stretchers, the carved ivory handles held in place by brass rivets and steel spring mechanism. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Given by Mrs J. M. Collier |
| Historical context | Probably made in Britain |
| Summary | Object Type This pair of glove stretchers might have belonged to either a man or a woman. They were used to help ease tight kid gloves so that they would fit over the fingers. They also helped restore the fingers of the gloves after washing, which made them wrinkled and stiff. The user would place the pointed end of the glove stretcher into the finger of a glove and then compress the handle together so that the two ends splayed out, hence stretching the kid leather. Time This example is probably from the latter part of the 19th century as it has a spring mechanism to ease movement. Late 19th-century glove stretchers often had this improvement. Ownership & Use During the 19th century the essential mark of a lady was to have small hands and feet. It was partly for this reason that close-fitting gloves were worn. A well-fitting glove was also an important complement to the tailored appearance of men's clothing. Glove stretchers therefore became a vital wardrobe accessory as they assisted the wearer in easing their gloves. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.18:1, 2-1944 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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