Queen Elizabeth II, who could end up being the longest serving monarch ever will be entering the sixtieth year of her reign and there is a climax building up for a royal celebration of the Diamond Jubilee. The entire country is contributing in its own way to make the occasion really special. Apart from commemorative products being designed things related to the royalty has gained prominence. We had recently seen an exhibition of the royal jewels as part of the diamond jubilee celebrations. The response was very enthusiastic and now an exhibition of royal gloves has been launched to continue the celebrations. There are wide ranging gloves that have adorned royal hands but the highlight of the exhibition is an antique piece worn by the first Queen Elizabeth at her coronation on January 15, 1559.
The glove which is over 450 years old is rather ornate. The glove is hand sewn from white alum tawed leather. The royal glove from the sixteenth century has a cuff which is decorated beautifully with pearls, sequins and silver thread. Gloves are an important and essential part of the royal attire. The collection is being displayed at Selfridges’ London flagship. It is well known that the current Queen of England is very fond of gloves and wears them at all public engagements. She has obviously built up a large collection of gloves over her sixty year reign.
The collection of gloves on display boasts of pieces from Queen Elizabeth I’s personal wardrobe as well as those worn by Queen Victoria. The Victorian gloves are those made in 1897 on the occasion of the diamond jubilee of her reign. Apart from the embroidered ornamental gloves there is mourning gloves worn by the Queen following her husband’s death. Dents is the firm which has been creating top-of-the-line hand-made gloves for over two centuries now for the royal family. They had also made the gloves for King George VI’s coronation in 1937. The firm had graciously allowed the royal gloves to be loaned to the exhibition. Selfridge’s is organizing a series of exhibitions called the Big Bang exhibition in honor of the Queen’s diamond jubilee.
