Glove

A fingerless glove, the so-called mittens, is an element of the Pyrzyce folk costume. At the same time, it is a part of the garment, which in the relatively scarce resource of studies related to the costume of Pyrzyce is not given any attention. It can be seen in iconography from the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, which shows female members of the Pyrzyce costume mostly with their hands uncovered or hidden in fur muff, which was already a costume element in the first half of the 19th century. Therefore, we do not know whether the muff also contained gloves. Few illustrations and photos from the later period show green mittens, such as the glove in the Szczecin Museum's collection. Our precious copy was made of fine wool using four separate knitting stitches. At the wrist and each finger, it is finished in distinct serrations. Its small size indicates that it could fit a slim, girlish hand, not yet used to the hard work of a village housewife. The back of the glove is decorated with an appliqué made from a square piece of linen, on which floral composition is embroidered in a flat pattern. Subtle and delicate, it contains everything a young girl dreams of: tulips - a symbol of wealth, roses - a symbol of femininity and fertility, and forget-me-nots, which in the folk tradition are a sign of remembrance and fidelity.

Iwona Karwowska