Ermine Hand Warmer – Deep Pink Lining

Description

Measuring 18cm x 20cm this fur hand warmer or muff is made from Ermine, also known as European Stoat.  In Australia the closest we have to an ermine is a ferret.  Ermine are endemic to most parts of Western & Eastern Europe.  They are brown in colour with the tip of their tail being black.  In Winter their brown coats turn white, so they blend in with the snow.  Only the tip of their tail remains black.  Because there are only a few months per year that they are this pure white colour, white ermine are much harder to find, making this hand warmer a harder to come by vintage fashion item.  It has been lined with a pinkish red coloured silk or silk like fabric.  This hand warmer was worn by a bridesmaid at a wedding on 16th February, 1963.  The note with it and that of the bride (which has a cream lining)  says it was a cold day – snow was melting.  One can assume that the wedding took place in Europe 60 years ago.