Muff

A muff is a tubular accessory open at each end into which hands are inserted for warmth. Originally they were detachable cuffs, that evolved into a separate fashion accessory.

In the seventeenth century muffswere an important and modish accessory for both sexes. After 1830 men stopped using them and they became a feminine accessory. At this time they also became much smaller, resembling a small round melon. They remained fashionable until the end of World War I, when the newly fashionable greatcoats, withroomy pockets, eliminated the need for women to carry muffs for warmth.

Guereza fur
Muffs were commonly made from fur and lined with silk or satin. It is thought that this example is made from monkey fur. Monkey fur became fashionable following the display of dressed pelts at the Great Exhibition held in London in 1851. The most sought after monkey skins came from the guereza (Colobus genus), found in tropical Africa. Guereza have long, silky, lustrous hair, which is either all black, or black and white. Their distinctive fur was used for capes and trimmings as well as muffs.