Glove making - Heritage Crafts |

Status

Critical

Craft category

Leather

Historic area of significance

Yeovil, Somerset, Worcester, London

Area practiced currently

Somerset, Merseyside, London

Origin in the UK

1800s

Current No. of professionals (Main income)

4 companies and 1 individual maker

Current No. of leisure makers

History

Leather gloves have a rich history that spans centuries, symbolising both functionality and status. Originating in ancient civilizations like Egypt and Rome, they were initially worn for protection during labor and combat. By the Middle Ages, gloves became a sign of nobility and were often elaborately adorned to reflect wealth and power. In the Renaissance, their craftsmanship reached new heights, with fine materials and intricate designs making them coveted accessories. Over time, gloves transitioned from symbols of aristocracy to essential items for warmth, elegance, and style. Today, handcrafted leather gloves carry on a long tradition of artistry and practicality.

Leather gloves have been manufactured in the UK since at least the 14th Century

Techniques

Hand sewing – oversewn stitch, stab stitch/prix seam, zigzag, inseam
Machine sewing – full pique, half pique, prixseam, inseam, brosser
Table cutting

Issues affecting the viability

Ageing workforce: Many glove makers are reaching retirement age
Training and recruitment issues: A lack of willing local apprentices prepared to train in glove making
Market issues: Competition from low-cost countries
Raw materials: A limited supply of local raw material suppliers. Local tannery Pittards closed, which used to supply the best hairsheep gloving leather.
Allied trades and services: Limited local maintenance services for machinery
Global and geopolitical issues: Brexit has complicated international trading.

Support organisations

Training organisations

Short courses

Riina Õun is a globally recognised lecturer who has been collaborating with academic institutions and organisations worldwide since 2017. Her diverse range of masterclasses varies from hand-crafting leather gloves, to material-making workshops introducing circular economy and alternative regenerative bio-materials.

Practicing craftspeople

Practitioner name: Riina Õun

Business name: Riina O

Location: London [51.5072178,-0.1275862]

Website: https://www.riinao.com/

Other information: Riina O is an independent brand established in 2013, specialising in hand-crafted luxury leather gloves, mostly made to measure.

Business name: Dents of England

Location: Warminster [51.204629,-2.181078]

Website: https://www.dentsgloves.com/

Other information: established 1777

Business name: Southcombe Gloves

Location: Somerset [51.0634565,-2.7546704]

Website: https://southcombe.com/

Other information: established 1847

Practitioner name: Cornelia James

Location: East Sussex [50.9285982,0.2764899]

Website: https://corneliajames.com/

Other information: established 1946

Business name: Bennett Safetywear

Website: https://bennettsafetywear.co.uk/

Other information

This craft uses products derived from animals – please read our ethical sourcing statement.

References

Dents Museum, Warminster

Red List Reviewers 2025

Our thanks go to our 2025 reviewers:

Riina Õun, Riina O
Mike Dodd. Worshipful Company of Glovers

We consult with a wide range of practitioners and organisations to review and update the Red List. Some choose to remain anonymous but all feedback is taken into account.

If you would like to suggest any changes or additions to this page please contact us here

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