
c.1610-1630
Gloves
Leather, silk, gilt metal
British
Design
The richly embroidered gauntlet cuffs of these early 17th-century gloves feature a medley of floral motifs, which would have been instantly recognisable and meaningful to their owner. At the centre is a large rose (rosa rubiginosa) in a vase, flanked by speedwell and heartsease. Below them and to either side are tulips and dianthus pinks.

The hands and long tapered fingers of the gloves are probably kidskin; a fine leather, sought after for both softness against the skin and elasticity. Thin, tight-fitting kidskin creates a smoother appearance than heavier weight leather and is unsuited to practical use. Its combination with silk gauntlets, gilt lace and embroidery shows that these gloves are intentionally luxurious.
The ‘Wanstead’ or ‘Welbeck’ portrait (c.1580-1585)
Elizabeth’s black silk veil is embroidered with red flowers. The white silk is worked with different sprigs of embroidered flowers, including roses, pansies and borage.


Dianthus and Speedwell

Heartsease

Speedwell and rosa rubiginosa

Tulips
Craft Skills
Embroidery designs were often copied and learned from books and stitched samplers. Designs could be drawn freehand onto a fabric or pounced, using a dusting of charcoal through pin-pricked designs on paper. This embroidery is worked on white silk, probably stiffened by paper. Trimmed at the edges with silver-gilt bobbin lace and spangles, the variety of stitches creates visual texture.

The floral motifs are mainly in silk satin stitches with highlights in metal threads and details in cut purl stitches. Silver gilt and metal threads with a silk core have been couched to create the outlines and curling motifs, while couched folded gilt plate thread and spangles add richness.
LEARN MORE
For further information on clothing in the 17th century, see Susan Vincent’s Dressing the elite: Clothes in Early Modern England (Oxford, 2003).
With many thanks to Chris Berry. Chris is an independent scholar in embroidery and lives in Glasgow.
Social Culture