Mitts
Unknown Artist
ca. 1889
Medium
silk
Classification
Mitts
Culture
probably European
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of The New York Historical Society, 1979
Accession Number
1979.346.10a, b
Art Historical Context
Step into the refined world of late 19th-century fashion these delicate silk *Mitts*, crafted around 1889 by an unknown artist. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Institute, these elegant hand coverings—short gloves that leave the fingers free—exemplify the period's emphasis on graceful, functional accessories. Donated as a gift from The New Historical Society in 197, they offer a tangible glimpse into the attire of the Victorian era's upper classes. Silk, the mitts' luxurious medium, was prized for its smooth sheen, durability, and ability to drape beautifully, making it ideal for ev...