1615 / 1625, United Kingdom

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. Decorative gloves were popular with England’s working class. In 1618 Horatio Busini, chaplain to the Venetian ambassador to England, wrote disapprovingly in a report on English customs: “all wear very costly gloves. This fashion of gloves is so universal that even the porters wear them very ostentatiously.” The decoration of this pair is characteristic of the period 1615 to 1625 with couched embroidery in a stylised pattern and edging of silver-gilt bobbin lace. Glove, embroidered leather, 1615-1625, British; silver & silver-gilt, metal lace, green ribbon, left A left glove of kidskin decorated at the cuff with couched silver-gilt thread and purl in an abstract floral pattern. The cuff is lined and edged with coral silk and trimmed with silver-gilt bobbin lace. The cuff is open at the side and tied at the base of the hand with a green silk ribbon. The seams on the back of the hand are embroidered in plaited braid stitch with silver-gilt thread.