Cuba Material collection · Colección Cuba Material
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Knitted work gloves
Clothing/Dress/Costume
A pair of knitted gloves in undyed natural (ecru/cream) yarn — likely cotton, possibly a cotton blend (fiber unconfirmed). Stockinette-knit hand and fingers with a deep ribbed (knit-purl) cuff; separately knit thumb and fingers, the fingertips open/absent (fingerless — knit so or worn through). The cuff edge is frayed; the body shows soiling and tan/brown discoloration consistent with heavy occupational use. No manufacturer label or mark is visible. Shown laid flat.
2025.6.37
Mirta Martínez Forteza obtained the pair from a garbage collector and used it when she worked as a volunteer in agriculture.
Per the donor, the gloves were industrial gear used by garbage collectors (sanitation workers). Plain knitted cotton work gloves of this type are standard low-cost hand protection for manual labor — handling refuse, containers, and tools. As state-issued or work-acquired occupational equipment, it documents everyday labor conditions in Cuba (gloves being a frequently scarce supply item). Whether it was factory-made or hand-knitted is not certain from the object (see Research Notes); the knit construction and absence of any maker's mark leave both possible.
The Martínez Suquet family collection
Mirta Martínez Forteza collection
2025.6
Mirta Suquet
Gift
Gloves
ecru
Knitted yarn — undyed natural cotton (most likely) or cotton blend; fiber unconfirmed.
Manufacturer: undetermined — no label or mark; could be factory-produced work-issue or hand-knitted (unconfirmed). Date: undetermined; consistent with the socialist period through the present, but not fixable without a label or firmer provenance.
26 x 16
16 cm
26 cm
Two gloves: ribbed cuff; stockinette hand; knit thumb and fingers (fingertips open).
Fair