Conservation Project: Costume Accessories, Gloves and Wristlets Photos

A design sketch to illustrate the storage of gloves.

Pair of women’s gloves, probably Spanish, about 1830, Printed and painted kid, silk ribbon, 22.1 cm (8 11/16 in.), The Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection, 43.1987a-b.

These printed leather gloves are stored in a custom-fit tray made of 4-ply mat board. The tray is lined with Volara foam, and small rectangular bumpers pin the gloves in place.

Pair of women’s gloves, probably Spanish, about 1830, Printed and painted kid, silk ribbon, 22.1 cm (8 11/16 in.), The Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection, 43.1987a-b.

Woven silk is used for its low friction to cover the mat board inserts, which fit into the palm of the glove and extend beyond the wrist for easy handling.

Pair of women’s gloves, French, early 19th century, Silk satin with silk embroidery and tambour-work, 45.8 x 13.8 cm (18 1/16 x 5 7/16 in.), Gift of Philip Lehman in memory of his wife Carrie L. Lehman, 38.1272a-b.

Silk embroidered evening gloves are paired together in a low custom-fit corrugated tray lined with Tyvek. Rag board inserts have a woven silk fabric covering and a lifting loop made from twill tape. The inserts fit into each glove from the palm and extend back beyond the outer end for easy lifting.

Pair of women’s mitts, 1825–50, Silk netting embroidered with gold boullion, pearls, glass beads and paste stones, 27.5 x 10.2 cm (10 13/16 x 4 in.), The Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection, 43.1996a-b.

These black lace wristlets are also positioned side by side and tip to wrist in a low custom-fit corrugated tray. Lifting inserts made of corrugated board are covered with one layer of batting and silk knit fabric.

Pair of women’s mitts, Italian, 18th century, Silk knit, lace, 34.3 x 10.5 cm (13.5 x 4.125 in.), Gift of Philip Lehman in memory of his wife Carrie L. Lehman, 38.1253a-b.

These knit evening mitts are mounted on individual lifting boards padded with polyester batting and wrapped in muslin. A twill tape loop is attached to each lifting board. To save space in the storage drawer, the mitts are stacked in their handling tray. Small stops of foam at the corners of the tray keep the top layer elevated.

Pair of mitts, Italian, 18th century, Embroidery, 25 x 24 x 1 cm (9 13/16 x 9 7/16 x 3/8 in.), Gift of Philip Lehman in memory of his wife Carrie L. Lehman, 38.1332a-b.

The same technique can be applied to wristlets. Padded lifting boards are stacked in the tray, and foam stops ensure the upper mount does not come in contact with the wristlet below.

Pair of mitts, Italian, 18th century, Embroidery, 25 x 24 x 1 cm (9 13/16 x 9 7/16 x 3/8 in.), Gift of Philip Lehman in memory of his wife Carrie L. Lehman, 38.1332a-b.

Finger holds are included in the upper mount for easy lifting. This second wristlet is positioned face down to allow both sides to be viewed without handling.

clockwise from top left: Pair of child’s wristlets, French, 19th century, Cotton knit with cotton bobbin lace, 10.2 x 8.8 cm (4 x 3 7/16 in.), Gift in memory of Mrs. Horatio Appleton Lamb, 52.1219a-b; Pair of child’s wristlets, French, 19th century, Cotton knit and bobbin lace, 14.4 x 8.5 cm (5 11/16 x 3 3/8 in.), Gift in memory of Mrs. Horatio Appleton Lamb, 525.1216a-b; Pair of infant’s wristlets, probably English, 19th century, Knitting, Gift of Philip Lehman in memory of his wife Carrie L. Lehman, 38.1239a-b; Pair of child’s wristlets, French, 19th century, Cotton knit and bobbin lace, 10.6 x 8.3 cm (4 3/16 x 3 1/4 in.), Gift in memory of Mrs. Horatio Appleton Lamb, 52.1217a-b; Pair of child’s wristlets, French, 19th century, Cotton knit with cotton bobbin lace, 11.6 x 8.8 cm (4 9/16 x 3 7/16 in.), Gift in memory of Mrs. Horatio Appleton Lamb, 52.1218a-b.

For wristlets that don’t require padded supports, e-flute trays are constructed with dividers and lined with PhotoTex tissue. The wristlets are paired and stacked with an interleaving of PhotoTex. Identification numbers for each pair are written on the tissue to minimize handling. If it is necessary to remove the wristlets from the tray, the same numbers written on the side of the tray ensure the objects can be easily returned to their correct locations. Specific groupings of wristlets and gloves are approved by curators in an effort to store objects from like regions and time periods together.

from left: Pair of women’s gloves, Kid with copper alloy button, 19.2 x 10.2 cm (7 9/16 x 4 in.), The Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection, 43.1990a-b; Pair of women’s gloves, Kid with silk embroidery and wood button, 22.4 x 8.3 cm (8 13/16 x 3 1/4 in.), The Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection, 43.1989a-b; Pair of women’s gloves, French (Paris), Kid leather with ceramic button, 22.5 x 10 cm (8 7/8 x 3 15/16 in.), Gift of Emily Welles Robbins (Mrs. Harry Pelham Robbins) and the Hon. Sumner Welles, in memory of Georgiana Welles Sargent, 49.990a-b.

Pairs of white leather gloves are stored in prefabricated trays made of acid-free board and lined with PhotoTex paper. The 4-ply mat board dividers keep each pair separate.

Woman’s glove, Italian, about 1650–1700, Linen bobbin lace and silk ribbons, 39 x 20 cm (15 3/8 x 7 7/8 in.), Gift of Philip Lehman in memory of his wife Carrie L. Lehman, 38.1271.

For this lace glove, an insert is not possible and a padded tray is not necessary. Instead, a simple tray lined with PhotoTex tissue supports the glove and contains any loose parts.

Pair of women’s mitts, 1725–75, Silk, embroidered with silk and metallic yarns, 25.5 x 14.5 x 1 cm (10 1/16 x 5 11/16 x 3/8 in.), Gift of Philip Lehman in memory of his wife Carrie L. Lehman, 38.1256a-b.

A tray lined with PhotoTex paper protects these wrist covers. The tissue paper supports that are underneath the gloves allow space for the cuff and lessen pressure on its surface. Tissue paper is also inserted between the folded cuff and wrist to help prevent migration staining from the gloves’ metallic elements.

Pair of women’s mitts, 1725–75, Silk, embroidered with silk and metallic yarns, 25.5 x 14.5 x 1 cm (10 1/16 x 5 11/16 x 3/8 in.), Gift of Philip Lehman in memory of his wife Carrie L. Lehman, 38.1256a-b.

Mat board inserts have a Tyvek soft wrap covering and a lifting loop made from cotton twill tape.

Pair of gloves, English, early 17th century, Leather embroidered with silk, seed pearls, metallic threads, and spangles, and trimmed with metallic bobbin lace, woven silk, and metallic ribbon, (a): 36 x 20 cm (14 3/16 x 7 7/8 in.), (b): 35.5 x 20 cm (14 x 7 7/8 in.), Gift of Philip Lehman in memory of his wife Carrie L. Lehman, 38.1351a-b.

These hunting gloves are stored in a low custom-shaped corrugated tray. This saves drawer space and highlights the cuff design that meets in the center. Polyethylene foam blocks are covered with PhotoTex paper and elevate the gloves underneath the hands, allowing room for the cuffs to rest below.

Pair of gloves, English, early 17th century, Leather embroidered with silk, seed pearls, metallic threads, and spangles, and trimmed with metallic bobbin lace, woven silk, and metallic ribbon, (a): 36 x 20 cm (14 3/16 x 7 7/8 in.), (b): 35.5 x 20 cm (14 x 7 7/8 in.), Gift of Philip Lehman in memory of his wife Carrie L. Lehman, 38.1351a-b.

The inserts, padded and covered with Tyvek, fit in notched spaces carved in the foam. Twill tape loops are sewn to the inserts for easy lifting.

Pair of gloves, Spanish, 26.0 x 16.5 cm (10.25 x 6.50 in.), Gift of Philip Lehman in memory of his wife Carrie L. Lehman, 38.1252a-b.

Because these ecclesiastic gloves contain metallic threads, they are enclosed in a box made of Corrosion Intercept board designed to trap pollutants. A corrugated board, padded and wrapped in cotton knit fabric, sits at the bottom of the box. Stitching the fabric down around the gloves makes a shallow depression that keeps the gloves positioned properly. An interleaf of PhotoTex paper is cut to shape and serves as a barrier under the gloves to prevent snagging. Mat board inserts, with Tyvek covering and twill tape lifting loops, fit into the palm of each glove and extend beyond the wrist to ease handling.

Since the Corrosion Intercept box must be kept closed in storage, a label with the gloves’ numbers and image is attached for identification.

Pair of gloves, Chain mail, The Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection, 44.449a-b.

These chain link leather gloves are stored in a custom-shaped corrugated board tray. There is a bottom layer of poly padding covered in Tyvek, and the wrist cuffs are supported with polyethylene foam cradles wrapped with Volara foam. Foam inserts inside each glove are also covered in Tyvek and help hold the cuffs straight, relieving the folding and creasing of the leather at the wrist joint.