Christian IV’s Glove is actually a monument in Oslo, Norway, rather than an artifact. This monument is not a glove in the literal sense but rather a sculptural representation and is named for King Christian IV, who founded the city of Oslo in 1624. The city was actually renamed Christiania in his honor, a name it held until reverting back to Oslo in 1925.

The monument, which is shaped somewhat like a glove or a hand, is located at Christiania Torv, a historic square in the old city center of Oslo. It commemorates the king’s efforts to rebuild the city after a devastating fire in 1624. According to legend, King Christian IV pointed to this spot and declared that the new city would be built here. The monument serves as a reminder of the city’s rebirth and the king’s influence on its development.

The design of the monument is abstract and modernist, a stylized representation that can be interpreted as a hand pointing to the ground, symbolizing the king’s act of pointing to the site for the new city. It was created by the artist Wenche Gulbransen and unveiled in 1997 as part of the city’s 350-year anniversary celebrations.

The Christian IV’s Glove monument is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, as it sits in an area rich with history and surrounded by beautiful old buildings that reflect the architecture of the period following the city’s reconstruction. It is a symbolic piece that connects the past to the present in the heart of Norway’s capital.

So, while Christian IV’s Glove is not a historical glove belonging to the king, it is a meaningful monument that pays homage to his role in Oslo’s history and serves as an artistic focal point in the city.