Glove
Gloves protect hands and have ancient origins.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
A glove is a garment covering the hand, with separate sheaths or openings for each finger including the thumb. Gloves protect and comfort hands against cold or heat, damage by friction, abrasion or chemicals, and disease; or in turn provide a guard for what a bare hand should not touch. Gloves appear to be of great antiquity, depicted in an ancient Egyptian tomb dating to the 5th dynasty, and referenced in translations of Homer's The Odyssey and in Herodotus's The History of Herodotus (440 BC).
- earliest_known_depiction
- 5th dynasty ancient Egypt
- early_reference
- Homer's The Odyssey (translation)
- historical_mention
- Herodotus, 440 BC
- materials
- cloth, knitted or felted wool, leather, rubber, latex, neoprene, silk, metal
- notable_use
- health care, crime scene investigation, criminal activity, sports, fashion
Lore & Background
Gloves appear to be of great antiquity. They are depicted in an ancient Egyptian tomb dating to the 5th dynasty. According to some translations of Homer's The Odyssey, Laërtes is described as wearing gloves while walking in his garden so as to avoid the brambles. Herodotus, in The History of Herodotus (440 BC), tells how Leotychides was incriminated by a glove (gauntlet) full of silver that he received as a bribe. There are occasional references to the use of gloves among the Romans as well. Pliny the Younger (c. 100), his uncle's shorthand writer wore gloves in winter so as not to impede the elder Pliny's work.
During the 13th century, gloves began to be worn by ladies as a fashion ornament. They were made of linen and silk, and sometimes reached to the elbow. Sumptuary laws were promulgated to restrain this vanity: against samite gloves in Bologna, 1294, against perfumed gloves in Rome, 1560. A Paris corporation or guild of glovers (gantiers) existed from the thirteenth century. By 1440, in England glovers had become members of the Dubbers or Bookbinders Guild until they formed their own guild during the reign of Elizabeth I. The Glovers' Company was incorporated in 1613. It was not until the 16th century that gloves reached their greatest elaboration, however, when Queen Elizabeth I set the fashion for wearing them richly embroidered and jewelled.
Reader's Guide
Gloves have served both practical and symbolic roles throughout history. From ancient Egyptian tombs to medieval gauntlets and Renaissance fashion, gloves have protected hands in combat, labor, and ceremony. Their significance extends to modern contexts: health care professionals wear latex, nitrile rubber or vinyl disposable gloves for hygiene and contamination protection; police officers wear them at crime scenes to prevent destroying evidence; and criminals wear them to avoid leaving fingerprints, though gloves themselves can leave unique prints. The development of specialized gloves—such as cut-resistant Kevlar gloves, fireman's gauntlets, and convertible mittens called 'glittens'—reflects ongoing adaptation to human needs. Gloves also appear in liturgical use, as pontifical gloves worn by the pope, cardinals, and bishops during mass, a practice traced to the 10th century. Their legacy is one of utility, protection, and ornament, spanning millennia and cultures.
Did You Know?
- Gloves are depicted in an ancient Egyptian tomb dating to the 5th dynasty.
- Herodotus (440 BC) tells how Leotychides was incriminated by a glove full of silver received as a bribe.
- Disposable latex gloves were developed by the Australian company Ansell.
- Convertible mittens, or 'glittens', have a mitten cavity stitched onto the back of a fingerless glove that can be flipped over.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a Glove in the clothing world?
A Glove is a hand-covering garment that features individual sheaths or openings for each finger, including the thumb. It is designed to fit snugly over the entire hand while still allowing each digit to move independently.
What materials can Gloves be crafted from?
Gloves have been made from a wide range of materials throughout history, including cloth, knitted or felted wool, leather, rubber, latex, neoprene, silk, and even metal. The choice of material typically depends on whether the wearer needs protection, warmth, dexterity, or style.
What is the earliest known depiction of Gloves?
The oldest confirmed visual record of Gloves comes from a tomb in ancient Egypt dating to the 5th dynasty, showing that the garment was already in use thousands of years ago. This predates any surviving physical examples by a very long margin.
What purposes do Gloves actually serve?
Gloves shield the hands from cold, heat, friction, abrasion, chemicals, and disease, while also preventing the wearer from directly touching things a bare hand should not contact. They are widely used in health care, crime scene investigation, sports, criminal activity, and fashion.
Where do Gloves appear in ancient literary references?
Gloves are mentioned in translations of Homer's The Odyssey and in Herodotus's The History of Herodotus, which dates to around 440 BC. These textual references confirm that the concept of hand-covering garments was well established in the ancient Mediterranean world.
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