Handschoen van ambtskostuum van burgemeester Hoytema c. 1800 - 1923

These gloves were made as part of a formal suit for Mayor Hoytema. Made of white leather, each glove is carefully stitched and shaped. Leather-making is a highly skilled tradition, dating back millennia. The material itself speaks of labor and class. These gloves weren’t just sewn together; they were tanned, treated, cut, and meticulously assembled. The soft, pale leather signifies status and expense, demanding careful maintenance to preserve their pristine appearance. These gloves testify to a particular moment in history when even the hands of civic leaders were expected to be formally sheathed. They also tell the history of global trade: from animal to tannery, and from skilled hand to the wearer. Considering how much work went into them, they challenge our separation of ‘fine art’ and ‘craft’. They embody social status, while reminding us of all the hands that helped to create and preserve that image.