Jan 13, 2014
A chatelaine is a decorative belt hook or clasp worn at the waist with a series of chains suspended from it. Each chain is mounted with a useful household appendage such as scissors, thimble, watch, key, vinaigrette, household seal, etc. They were very popular from the 1860's until the end of the century.
The top photo is a cabinet card circa 1880 that shows a well-dressed woman wearing a needlework chatelaine, a rarity in posed photographs.
The bottom photo is a A sterling silver chatelaine complete with a whistle, folding buttonhook, coin purse, vinaigrette, and thimble bucket.