Knitted work gloves

Clothing/Dress/Costume

-

Archive of Cuban Socialism

Name/Title

Knitted work gloves

Entry/Object ID

2025.6.37

Description

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.

Use

Mirta Martínez Forteza obtained the pair from a garbage collector and used it when she worked as a volunteer in agriculture.

Context

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.

Collection

The Martínez Suquet family collection, Mirta Martínez Forteza collection

Acquisition

Accession

2025.6

Source or Donor

Mirta Suquet

Acquisition Method

Gift

Clothing/Dress/Costume Details

Article of Clothing/Dress/Costume

Gloves

Textile Details

Color

ecru

Notes

Knitted yarn — undyed natural cotton (most likely) or cotton blend; fiber unconfirmed.

Made/Created

Notes

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.

Dimensions

Dimension Description

26 x 16

Width

16 cm

Length

26 cm

Parts

Two gloves: ribbed cuff; stockinette hand; knit thumb and fingers (fingertips open).

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

March 31, 2022

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

June 20, 2026