Historical information

Ladies' gloves for formal and semi-formal wear come in three lengths for women: wrist, elbow, and opera or full-length (over the elbow, usually reaching to the biceps but sometimes to the full length of the arm). In the late 19thC and early 20thC Gloves were expected to be worn for both daytime and evening wear with most types of outfits. The most expensive gloves are custom-made of kid leather.
Mousquetaire gloves have buttons at the wrist so the wearer could open the buttons and slip her hand out without taking the whole glove off. The finger section would be folded in and kept away tidily. This is how ladies wore gloves while dining. After the meal they would put their hands back into the gloves, usually for the rest of the evening.

Significance

The Eldridge family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire and relatives of William and Elizabeth Box.

Physical description

A pair of lady's white, 'Opera length', kid leather gloves with 3 pearl buttons at wrist opening, or 'Mousquetaire'