Ermine

Mink-lined shoes
MFA# 97.155

Mink cape
MFA# 62.507

Description

The fur trade name for the winter white coat of a stoat (Mustela erminea). Weasels have reddish brown fur in the summer and a thick, white coat in winter with the exception of the tip of the tail which remains black. Found primarily in Eurasia and North America, white ermine fur was highly valuable. During the 14th century in England, only nobility were allowed to wear ermine.

Synonyms and Related Terms

stoat (Mustela erminea); short-tailed weasel; lækat (Dan.); Hermelin (Deut., Sven.); armiño (Esp.); hermine (Fr.); hermelijn (Ned.); gronostaj(Pol.); arminho (Port.);

[[File:52.1314b-SC10197.jpg|thumb|Muff and stole
MFA# 52.1314]

Physical and Chemical Properties

Color = white in winter Guard hairs = silky

Additional Images

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  Stoat Mustela erminea

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  Ermine

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  Ermine

Resources and Citations

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "ermine" [Accessed November 15, 2001].

• Edward Reich, Carlton J. Siegler, Consumer Goods: How to Know and Use Them, American Book Company, New York City, 1937

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ermine (Accessed Nov. 2, 2005)