Mitts
Unknown Artist
first quarter 19th century
Medium
silk
Classification
Mitts
Culture
American
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. William Redmond Cross, 1926
Accession Number
26.75.1
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of early 19th-century American with these delicate *Mitts*, crafted from luxurious silk during the first quarter of the1800s. Produced by an unknown artist, these fingerless gloves were a staple accessory for women, blending practicality with refinement. They allowed freedom of movement for tasks like needlework, letter-writing, or playing the piano while shielding delicate hands from the chill—perfect for the bustling households of a young America emerging from the Revolutionary era. Silk, a prized import material symbolizing status and sophistication, highlights ...