Everything You Never Knew About Chatelaines
Throughout history, women have had to wrestle with the need for pockets. Instead of asking a man to hold their necessities, women got resourceful and started using chatelaines.
What is a chatelaine?
A chatelaine is a small, often decorative clasp that was designed to hold several tools suspended on chains. Dating back as early as the 10th century, Viking women first used simple, belt hook chatelaines to carry keys. In fact, the word chatelaine is French for "lady of the castle" who often had keys to all the various locks.
In the Victorian era, women were still lacking pockets and used increasingly ornate chatelaines to carry various tools they needed for daily use.
Where were chatelaines worn?
Chatelaines were worn most often at the waistband and suspended by a chain or sash, much like a man's pocket watch would be. Other, less common options would be to wear a chatelaine on a lapel like a brooch or even around one's neck in the form of a long necklace.
Who used chatelaines?
Chatelaines were used strictly by women. The interesting aspect of chatelaine use, however, is that they were used by women of all social classes. As a utilitarian object, women all needed a chatelaine regardless of their wealth and privilege. Of course, the wealthier the owner, the more ornate the chatelaine became. Sterling silver heirloom chatelaines, as well as gold chatelaines with semi-precious stones, were not uncommon.
What was typically hung from a chatelaine?
What to hang from one's chatelaine was as personal and individual as what is inside a woman's purse today. It often included:
- Sewing implements. Whether a working seamstress or a lady of the house, sewing implements were commonly found on chatelaines. Tiny scissors and thimbles were popular choices.
- Nursing tools. Nurses had chatelaines that included the tools necessary for them to perform their jobs such as scissors, a pocket watch, and even a small egg timer.
- Whistle. Chatelaines often had small whistles attached. This was used to hail a cab or perhaps by a governess to corral young wards.
- Buttonhook. Another common chatelaine accessory was a buttonhook. Buttonhooks were used to help close tiny buttons found on Victorian shoes and gloves, similar to how we use a shoehorn today.
- Vinaigrette. A vinaigrette is a small, pierced metal container that was used to hold perfume-soaked sponges. Wealthy women often used these on their chatelaine to both symbolize their wealth and to smell better overall.
A chatelaine held anything and everything that a woman thought might be useful or practical to carry, much like a Swiss army knife today.
Heirloom chatelaines can make a nice addition to any jewelry collection and are quite collectible. You can still find them at auctions as well as in many museums.
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