Objects Database

Erve Down Mittens

Accession Number

1627.2021.1

Object Name

Erve Down Mittens

Created

24/08/2021

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

24/08/2021

Brief Description

Pair of fabric mittens. Elasticated tops and velcro fastenings

Materials

nylon

Dimensions

39(L) cms

Number Of Objects

1 pair

Inscription Description

"ERVE NYON SWITZERLAND"

Colour

taupe, red

Maker

Erve

Object Production Place

Switzerland

Provenance

There is a modern clothing company based in Belgium called Erve; it began life in 1985 though, somewhat confusingly, the Erve mittens we have here n the collection pre date that by a couple of decades. The advert opposite tells us that another Erve was in the market place by March 1970 at least, though they were based in Nyon, Switzerland. Both the Swiss Erve and their UK importers, Dodwell & Co. seem to have subsequently disappeared….but we have the mittens!
We do know that Erve was considered the Rolls Royce of down clothing in the 1960/70’s and suspect that UK companies such as Point Five and Mountain Equipment slowly captured the market.
The very fine pair of mittens we have here once belonged to Roger O’Donovan who, amongs many other things was a member of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) back in the 1960’s and we’re fairly sure these were his sledging mittens; used when driving dog teams down in Antarctica.
Roger passed away some moons ago and the mitts were kindly donated by his wife Jane.

Acquisition Date

24/08/2021

Condition Check Date

24/08/2021

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

24/08/2021

Go Back