Chatelaine Bits

Chatelaine is French for "mistress of the castle". Whether it's an Equipage(waist hung item with long chains that held keys to storage areas of the home: spices, teas, documents and food stuffs) OR a Chatelaine ( a popular term during the Regency period to describe a waist hung adornment used to organize household tools and as a fashion accessory) I know that they are beautiful, rare and a coveted category in sewing collectibles.

circa 1883, source: NY Public Library

Pinchbeck (alloy of copper/zinc) Chatelaine c. 1730-1735

collection VMA

Sterling Chatelaine c. 1895 Collection Grant-Kohrs Historic Site

Ribbon Chatelaine, Godey's

Tools may include: scissors, perfume, pomader, pincushion, pinkeep, thimble holder, button hook, tablet, waxer, pencil holder, wax seal, tape measure, mirror, knife, spectacle case, purse, dog whistle.

Materials: silver, steel, brass, gold, leather, ribbon and bone, tortoise, gutta percha.

source: John Leech Archives

This may be the most practical chatelaine of all!