Rechter handschoen van wit wasleer, met geschulpte kap en versierd met perforaties c. 1930

These are a pair of gloves, likely mass produced by Hirsch & Cie N.V., made from white leather, decorated with perforations. Consider these gloves as more than mere accessories. They were potent symbols of femininity and status. Leather gloves, particularly those of fine quality and delicate color, were favored by upper-class women. Note the scallops and tassels, and imagine the care taken to maintain their pristine condition. However, the story of these gloves extends beyond the wearer. Mass-produced gloves signify a shift in labor practices and accessibility. While exuding luxury, these gloves were likely made by workers, often women, whose labor conditions were far from glamorous. These gloves are a window into a world where fashion and identity intersected with the realities of labor, class, and gender.