Glove tools in history - what am I???

 

Any guesses??

Chopsticks??

An old-fashioned pair of scissors??

An Asian-inspired hair clip??

This unique tool is known as a glove stretcher, and was popular with women of the 19th century. Gloves were an essential accessory in this period, and were often made using kidskin leather, which is extremely soft. Gloves of this hide could prove to be rather difficult to put on, especially after being washed, when they were very snug.

A glove stretcher was inserted into the glove fingers and gently pried open. In this way, the glove fingers were expanded slightly to accommodate the fingers of the young lady who wished to don her gloves before going out.