Mitts
Unknown Artist
1840–59
Medium
cotton, silk
Classification
Mitts
Culture
American or European
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Timothy John Kennedy, 1986
Accession Number
1986.523.1a, b
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of mid-19th-century fashion *Mitts*, a delicate pair crafted by an unknown artist between 1840 and 1859. Made from cotton and silk, fingerless gloves were a staple accessory in American or European wardrobes, blending practicality with refined style. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, they were generously gifted by Timothy John Kennedy in 6, preserving a glimpse of everyday elegance from the Victorian era. Mitts like these offered warmth and coverage for the hand while leaving fingers free for essential tasks such as sewing, writing, or p...