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Gloves
(c. 1880-c. 1890)
Medium
kid, brass
Measurements
(a) 44.4 × 8.4 cm (left glove)
(b) 42.1 × 9.4 cm (right glove)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
The Schofield Collection. Purchased with the assistance of a special grant from the Government of Victoria, 1974
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
In the Victorian period it was thought that a woman’s class could be detected by the size of her hands, their skin colour and by her gloves. In Western countries, white hands and blue veins were believed to be an indicator of status. Charles Darwin’s science linked skin colour to the ‘civilising’ practices of imperial rule. This lasted until the 1920s when indicators of status changed.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
France
Inscription
(a) stamped: 16
(b) stamped: 5/3/X 11/16
Accession Number
D335.a-b-1974
Department
International Fashion and Textiles
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Professor AGL Shaw AO Bequest