I have been researching this weekend in the library and online period pictures of gloves. Not so much extant gloves though I've run across a few of those as well but more paintings portraits statuary manuscript illustrations and so on.

My main jumping off points were some costume books that were illustrated from period sources Boucher and Davenport Cunnington and a few others.

Before the 16th century there is not very much. Then in the 16th century everyone is shown holding their gloves (and in a few rare instances wearing them) but its rather difficult to tell many details when they are wadded up in the hand. In the 17th century more portraits appear with people actually wearing gloves but the style of glove seems to change also.

Before the 16th century its hard to generalize I still have too few examples.

One detail I noticed is the 16th century glove seems In most cases to have some type of knotted cord on it. I assume this is used like a draw string to pull it tight for a more fitted glove. What is not clear to me either is how it is attatched to the glove, all I can tell is it dangles from the end. By the 17th century this detail vanishes completely. My assumption here too is that the 16th century gloves are more fitted than later. Certainly durer's 15th century gloves are virtually skintight. a 13th century illustration also had some kind of bow hanging off of it so likely this was the same cord.

Comparing the 9 different modern patterns available from Vogue, I've found that more is the same than different they each have some variation to justify a separate pattern but the basic glove pattern. The trank (fingers and hand section) the thumb hole, thumb piece and fourchettes remain the same throughout all 9 patterns. What changes is the cuff. How long it is. And how much it is flared. And Then ornamentation. To What extent are these variation considerations for making period gloves? Btw, for What its worth vogue uses a French thumb. (Which according to a post on this list is the earlier of the two basic thumb types? is there any other advantage to One or the other?)

Would it be useful to look at armoured gloves also? I am more interested In making cloth gloves, but apparently the glove fashion In Europe was started By crusaders mailed mits and the earliest examples seem to be of the early Plantagenet kings, and the clergy. although I read in one book that Carlolingian ladies liked to wear fur mittens... but I havent seen this elsewhere to verify something so early.

Just for drothers I tried looking up photos of King Arthur and Robin Hood movies to see what gloves were worn but I didnt see any gloves at all. I also looked up gloves and laced/lace/lacing/ "lace up" and nothing popped up that wasnt totally in a goth and latex vein... not even recreationist.

Anyway, I will stop here. If anyone has some comments to bounce off... I'd be interested and it would give me a clearer picture to focus on maybe.

all the best,

'pheist