Description:
Single glove made from fine white kid leather (the hide of a young goat). The gauntlet, or cuff, is ornately decorated with polychrome silk embroidery (now faded) and silver and gilt embroidery, and edged on the bottom and outside seam with applied silver and silver gilt fringe. These metallic elements are now tarnished. The glove is hand sewn with silk sewing thread. Inside, the gauntlet is lined with paper and faced with pink, plain-weave silk. Relative peace and prosperity in Tudor and Stuart England resulted in the development of secular luxury industries including embroidery, and allowed for the patronage to pay for professionally decorated textiles and clothing, such as this example. Probably made in London, specialists in the embroiderer's guild worked both silk and metallic embroidery onto this glove, in concert with a glovemaker. Although decorative, the glove and its now missing mate could have been worn for dress, riding, or given as a gift or even a token of engagement.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2020.25 |
