Limerick Gloves – a celebrated style of glove that became popular throughout England and Ireland during the late 18th, early 19th century. Commonly referred to as ‘chicken-skins’, the gloves were renowned for their exquisite texture. They were made from a thin strong leather derived from the skin of unborn calves and sold encased in a walnut shell.

By the early 19th century, Limerick gloves became a fashionable item, and, like French kid gloves, were admired for the superior quality of the leather and craftsmanship. They were generally produced  in various shades of cream and yellow and were typically worn during the day.

Although thought to have originated in Co. Limerick Ireland, the gloves were later manufactured in other cities throughout both Ireland and England. They continued to be produced on a very small scale until around the middle of the 19th century, however, by that time, pairs of  ’original’ Limerick gloves became increasingly hard to find. Various examples of these gloves can now be found within a number of museums and private collections across the UK and Ireland.

Thanks to Liza Foley for the text

 
In the early part of the 19th century Limerick was famed for gloves of pale yellow leather so thin that a pair could be folded up and placed inside a walnut shell – a dainty gift for a one’s ladylove. These are usually called ‘chicken skin’ gloves, which is, perhaps, a deliberate misnomer designed to hide the disagreeable fact that they were actually made from the skins of unborn calves. The hand-stitching is usually about thirty-two stitches to the inch and one pities the women and girls who scraped meager living from such exacting work.
Leather Craftsmanship J.W. Waterer

Born: 23 February 1633(1633-02-23) London, England

Died: 26 May 1703(1703-05-26) (aged 70) Clapham, England

Resting place: St Olave’s, London, England

Education: Huntingdon Grammar School, St Paul’s School and Cambridge University

Occupation: Naval Administrator started off as Clerk of the Acts working his way up to Chief Secretary to the Admiralty and Tory Member of Parliament for Castle Rising and Harwich.

Known for: Diary

Political party: Tory

Board member of: President of the Royal Society, Master of Trinity House, Freeman of the City of London, Freeman of Portsmouth, Treasurer of the Tangier Committee

Religion: Anglican

Spouse: Elisabeth Pepys (née de St Michel)
 
(Wikipedia)

A wallet seems to have been a species of travelling bag for carrying clothing and food – equivalent to what in medieval times were called ‘cloth sacks’ and /gardeviaunces’. To us the term usually indicates a flat, leather pocket case for papers, tickets and so on, although sometimes the flat, envelope-type, underarm document case is so styled. The pocket wallet goes back at least to the 17th century.
Leather Craftsmanship J.W. Waterer

Waterer Spiers collection April 2001

‘Georgina Goodman’ the brand has become synonymous with uncompromising style, clarity of vision and discreet originality. Georgina Goodman the designer embodies that philosophy, which has led to her being twice nominated ‘Accessory Designer of the Year’ by the British Fashion Council, and has seen her establish long standing design collaborations and consultancies with major fashion houses.

An early career in fashion journalism, in both Television and in print, demonstrated Georgina’s unique eye for style. Ultimately, wanting a further challenge, she enrolled on the BA in Footwear Design at the world renowned Cordwainer’s College in London, graduating with a first class degree. She went on to complete her Masters degree in Womenswear/Footwear at the prestigious Royal College of Art.

In 2002 the first Georgina Goodman boutique in Mayfair opened, offering a bespoke Couture service, followed by seasonal collections, manufactured in Italy and with it the birth of the Georgina Goodman brand. The shop soon became a ‘must visit’ destination for discerning clients and style icons, drawn by the discreet luxury, stylish inventiveness and attention to detail Georgina has become known for. Georgina’s designs also attracted the attention, and won the acclaim, of the international fashion media. Her unstinting creativity and desire to explore her chosen craft through the prism of other art forms has also led to shared projects with artists and filmmakers.

The Georgina Goodman flagship store at 44 Old Bond Street opened in 2008 making her one of a handful of independent designers on London’s most prestigious street. Now her distinctive hand-painted stripes and the embossed words ‘Made in Love’ etched into the sole of each shoe can be found on red carpets and in the finest high fashion retailers across the world.

Recently Georgina has been made a member of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, an honour only rarely awarded to a woman.  This and all her other achievements acknowledge not only her uncommon talent but her clarity of purpose and determination in creating ‘amazing shoes for amazing women.’

Georgina’s philosophy has always been straightforward; Be Consistent, Be Clear, Be Who We Really Are and most importantly; Be In Love.  This philosophy is expressed in everything Georgina Goodman.

Knife and Fork Set: Case of unpolished shagreen with ivory-handled knife and fork. probably 17th century

Noughts and crosses £ 10.00

A game of noughts and crosses held on a strap. Made in England for the Museum of Leathercraft.

Noughts and crosses

Woman’s yellow kid gloves with design printed from copper plate. C. 1800
made in Barcelona

A charming fashion was introduced in Portugal around 1700: women’s gloves, quite plain, of fine delicate leather, were printed from engraved plates with dainty, amusing designs which included quaint figures of man, women and animals.
Leather Craftsmanship J.W. Waterer