The Gloves

Made of plain red samite, the gloves are densely decorated on the
back. Golden tendrils embroidered in couched work fill the ground
upon which enamel plaques, precious stones and pearls are mounted.
On the back of each glove there is a central cloisonné appliqué in the
shape of a palmette with a small pointed oval shield on either side with
a bird’s head above each of these. Between the heads, the left glove has
a pentagonal niello plaque with a half-length depiction of an angel,
probably added in the 14th century. At the same place on the right glove
is the remainder of what was once a star-shaped enamel plaque. At the
base of the index and ring fingers of both gloves are round enamel plaques
depicting a siren with a single tail. Like the backs of the gloves, the palms were embroidered with gold tendrils. In addition, they have a one-headed eagle with a halo, the heraldic symbol of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. On the right glove most of the embroidery is missing, thus revealing the dark preliminary drawing of the motif. At the lower edge of the gloves is a narrow band framed at the top and bottom by double rows of pearls. The red silk ground is filled with enamel plaques, precious stones, gold embroidery and individual pearls that have been sewn on. Stylistically the enamel plaques match the decoration on the sheath of the Ceremonial Sword as well
as the Crown of Constance, the wife of Frederick II, which is kept in
Palermo. This supports the assumption that the gloves were made for the
coronation of Frederick II in 1220. The first mention of them is probably
that in the inventory of 1246, in which they were called “two gloves with
precious stones”. © Masterpieces of the Secular Treasury, Edited by Wilfried Seipel, Vienna 2008