Cloth mitts

Met 2009.300.2673a, b, embroidered silk, Britain, first quarter of the 18th century; “the design on these mitts is worked in a naturalistic style with the use of gradated color that adds depth and richness to the motifs. As an extra luxurious detail, the underside of the V-shaped extension, which would not have been visible, carries its own delicate floral embroidery.”

Velvet mitts, mostly Italian

Met 2009.300.2676, velvet-covered leather with metal-thread embroidery, Britain, c. 1680-1720
Met 2009.300.2674a, b, silk with metal-thread embroidery, Britain, c. 1680-1720
MFA 38.1329a,b, embroidered velvet, Italy; “Black velvet with crimson velvet turned back cuffs. The mitts and ruffles embroidered with gold thread in rococo floral pattern. Trimmed with gold bobbin lace.”
MFA 38.1331a,b, embroidered velvet, Italy; “Black velvet embroidered with silver (conventionalized vine and fruit, border and over hand). Lined with bright salmon pink silk. Open; six small buttons on one mitt, five on other.”
MFA 38.1332a,b, embroidered velvet, Italy; “Black velvet embroidered with gold thread, and lined with deep reddish orange silk. Embroidered motif on flap over hand alike on face and reverse. Mitts not fastened, on one three button-holes on each side, on other similar button-holes and six small buttons.”
Met 26.56.104 and Met 26.56.105, Italy, c. 1750-1775
MFA 38.1355a,b, Italy, “Black velvet embroidered with silver (rococo floral border and floral motif in center). Lined with salmon, green, white, silver and gold brocade. Open, no fastenings.”
MFA 43.1972a,b, Italy, “Black silk velvet embroidered with gilt-silver yarns and wires in vining motif on flap and cuff. Gilt-silver galloon at edges and button-holes, gilt-silver buttons. Pink silk lining.”
Met C.I.44.8.5a, b

Met C.I.44.8.17a, b, silk

Met C.I.44.8.7a, b, silk

Rijksmuseum BK-NM-8539-A, white cotton mitts with whitework floral embroidery, c. 1745-1800

Rijksmuseum BK-NM-12188-A-1/BK-NM-12188-A-2, grey-blue shot silk taffeta mitts lined with linen, embroidered on the back, c. 1750-1800

The Rijksmuseum has several pairs of white linen mitts with monochromatic (usually red, sometimes blue) embroidery, c. 1750-1800, including: BK-NM-8258-A/BK-NM-8258-B BK-NM-8538-A/BK-NM-8538-B BK-1978-375-B-1/BK-1978-375-B-2 BK-1978-375-A-1/BK-1978-375-A-2 BK-1978-377-A-1/BK-1978-377-A-2 BK-1978-377-B-1/BK-1978-377-B-2

MFA 38.1340a,b, probably Italy; “Pinkish orange silk with cuffs of cream colored silk damask trimmed with gold thread worked in chains and sewed to mitts.”
MFA 38.1346a,b, child’s mitts, Italy; “Pair of crimson silk mitts. Design: conventionalized flowers and foliage, embroidered with gold thread and spangles, on back of each hand, and around fingers and thumbs. Lined with linen, point over fingers lined with crimson velvet.”

S-curve

Colonial Williamsburg 1985-216,1, England, c. 1760-1780; “Pair of mitts (fingerless gloves) in cream silk taffeta, ribbed tabby weave, lined with white leather. The mitts have a point over the hand that could be folded back to reveal blue silk lining. Set-in thumb cut off at tip, serpentine open work band at underside of arm for expansion. Blue silk needlework herringbone stitch edgings. Cut on bias of silk … The embroidery on these mitts has a useful as well as decorative function. The stretchy fagoting and herringbone stitches hold the pieces together while providing ease for pulling the mitts on and off.”
MFA 38.1338a,b, probably Italy; “Blue silk trimmed with bright pink silk and embroidered with flowers worked in long and short stitch with pink, blue, green, and yellow silk and tarnished metal thread.”

Met C.I.44.8.8a, b, silk
Met C.I.44.8.18a, b, silk

Simple cotton mitts

A pair of fine white cotton mitts, c. 1750-1800, in Fitting & Proper
Met 2009.300.2130a, b, cotton, Britain, c. 1770
MFA 44.367a,b (undated); white cotton
Colonial Williamsburg 2009-43,6A&B, a pair of white cotton (possibly nankeen) mitts from a family of Philadelphia Quakers, c. 1785-1840

Linen mitts

LACMA M.80.43.4a-b, linen with silk embroidery, probably made in India for the Western market, c. 1700-1725
Museum Rotterdam 20890-1-2, a pair of mitts of unbleached linen with white embroidery on the back
Met C.I.44.8.9a, b

DAR 99.72.1, “bias-cut diaper-woven linen mitt with lace trim, 1780-1810”
Met 2009.300.1685a, b, American, 1800-1824
MFA 43.1968a,b(undated); light brown linen
Monmouth County Historical Association 3042.1, brown linen mitts made in Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, c. 1790

Karen Augusta 2433, embroidered mitts, America, c. 1790-1800; “Unbleached cotton muslin, tan embroidery floss, metallic thread, brass spangles, silk ribbons … Trailing floral design is delicately embroidered in a tambour stitch embellished with tiny spangles.”

MFA 38.1236, Italy or France, 18th or early 19th century; “Pair of changeable taffeta, with delicate wreath of flowers embroidered around hand, and sprig of flowers on back of hand, worked with green and pink silk and tarnished sequins. Feather stitch in cream colored silk around hand and thumb.”

V&A T.30&A-1973, Britain, c. 1780-1800; “A pair of women’s elbow-length mittens in yellow taffeta with gusset thumb and point at back of the hand. The seams are embroidered over in herringbone stitch with white silk. The points are raised with outline stitch in white silk.”
MFA 38.1263, yellow taffeta mitt, probably France, late 18th or early 19th century

MFA 43.1969a,b (undated); satin embroidered with white silk

London Museum A15175, invoice issued by London haberdasher Francis Flower to Mrs Hucks, July 21, 1757, for “3 pr Black Lutestring Mitts”

Met 1979.175.5a, b, cotton lace, Britain, late 18th century