Single lady’s glove, 18th c.

Single lady’s glove, elbow length, 18th century, origin unknown. F- Neuchâtel, Muséum d’Histoire naturelle (MS Inventory 8).

Sea silk, plain right knit, ajour pattern at the elbow, with thumb base, but without fingers. Edge 8 mm plain right knit, length 41 cm, width palm 7.5 cm. Two pink stitches are visible in the centre of the glove.

This single glove is said to be from the Cabinet d’histoire naturelle of Général Charles D. de Meuron (1736-1806). From 1755 he was an officer in the navy of the French king and fought with his regiment in the Antilles. Later, this time on the side of the English, he served in the United States and in India. 1789 de Meuron became chamberlain of the King of Prussia.

The Cabinet d’histoire naturelle of de Meuron forms the basis of the Musée d’ethnographie and the Muséum d’histoire naturelle of Neuchâtel. More about this in the chapter Historical aspects → Modern times → Cabinet of Curiosities