Gloves could serve several purposes in early 17th century Britain, apart from the obvious ones of protection and warmth. Many were solely decorative, to display the wealth and status of their owner. Although often seen held in the hand or tucked into a belt in early 17th century portraits, most surviving pairs are stretched over the knuckles of the fingers, indicating they have been worn. Gloves were popular as gifts and were exchanged as a gesture of engagement or wedding present. In combat, a glove was thrown down as a gage, or challenge.
The tabbed gauntlets of embroidere silk, silver-gilt bobbin lace trimming and ruched ribbon are characteristic of gloves during the period 1610 to 1630. They were sometimes made to match an ensemble of doublet, hose and cloak, as seen in William Larkin’s portrait of Sir Richard Sackville, 3rd Earl Dorset, painted in 1613, in the Suffolk Collection at Kenwood House in London.