A child’s mitten placed on some railings is a familiar enough sight, usually picked up by someone who hopes its owner will return and recognise it. This one outside the Foundling Museum in London is a little different as it’s a bronze sculpture created by Tracey Emin, titled Baby Things, Mitten. It was made in 2008 and subsequently donated to the museum by the artist and an anonymous donor in 2010. I wouldn’t have noticed this, but one of the museum guides walked us to it.
Emin’s Baby Things series began with small bronze casts of baby clothes and belongings placed around Folkestone for its 2008 Triennial, looking as though they had been dropped or forgotten. It reminded me of the tokens left by parents at the Hospital, with the hope that something that had been separated might eventually be reunited.
The position feels appropriate, as putting a lost glove somewhere visible is something a stranger might do without expecting recognition or thanks. There’s hope and positivity, it’s rather lovely. It’s such a little thing on a substantial set of railings, but after seeing the tokens inside, I was pleased that the guide had brought us out to look at it.