Accession Number

985.025.002

Description

A five-chained nickel and silver chatelaine, from left to right, one strand a pin disc, another a pencil, another a thimble bucket, another a scissor holder, and a notebook made of ivory leaves. The top is elaborate cut-work of silver with a belt clip on the back. Each utensil is repoussed and embossed electroplated-silver.

Narrative

Chatelaines were essential tool belts for the mistress of a 19th Century house. This example is a particularly good one due to its materials, quality of its craftsmanship, and the variety of its tools. A previous unknown owner wrote her shopping lists in pencil on the ivory sheets hanging from the chain on the extreme right.

History of Use

The history of use of this chatelaine is not known. 

Dimensions

35.5 x 13 cm

Material

Metal, nickel; Metal, silver

Technique

Electroplated; Embossed; Repoussed