Chatelaine
Artist
Maker unknown
(European)
Date1840-1880
MediumGilt metal
DimensionsOverall: 7in. (17.8cm)
ClassificationsPERSONAL ARTIFACTS
Credit LineProctor Collection
Terms
Object numberPC. 708.1
DescriptionContains sewing case with scissors, etc. and two smaller receptacles; Decorated with Renaissance motifsOn View
Not on viewCollections
Copyright<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/4.0/80x15.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License</a>.
Label TextNineteenth-century women’s dresses did not have convenient or large pockets. A chatelaine was a device that hooked at the waist of a woman’s dress and held useful implements such as scissors, keys, or a watch. Sewing chatelaines were usually three to nine inches long and contained a thimble case, scissors, a needle case, tape measure, and other tools either bought as a set or acquired individually. Ornate chatelaines were status symbols and favorite wedding gifts, for they indicated a new bride’s position as mistress of the household.
