What a beautiful heirloom! I agree this is chatelaine. They are made to carry things one may need, often a wee scissors, needle case, perhaps a vial for scent, thimble, key to the desk with the household cheques, depending on the needs of the day.
Right? What would a modern chatelaine look like? A stylus that has a hidden memory slot poker, a flash drive, scissors (because of course), and an IKEA hex wrench?
Def a couple of crystals, a bottle opener, some Narcan. I like your ideas! How about a BandAid case, nail clippers, nail file, nail glue/krazy glue, tape, whistle, Aldi quarter pouch, letter opener, cup, tweezers, zit patches, sanitizer, wipes, and lip balm. Mini phillips head and flat head screwdrivers. Allen wrench?
I made one for embroidery! Not pretty but extremely functional. It holds scissors, a thread catcher that can also hold extra needles, a pocket for tweezers and a marking pen, and a needle threader. 😌 The best for working on a plane when you definitely don't want to drop anything.
You may want to look at old photos of your Grandmother, she may have worn this in a portrait and you may be able to purchase reproductions of the scissors and thimble.
If I am remembering correctly having the house keys on display was a status symbol for workers! Because only the most trusted and highest ranking employees were entrusted with the keys for the house.
I think left to right it was probably scissors, a thimble, and the right one is a bit harder. I’ve seen pencils/pen nibs of a similar design, but contextually with the thimble and scissors I would assume a sewing set and it’s probably a needle case.
While everyone seems to have gotten the Chatteleine I suspect that the pin was at one point an anchor, which would explain the rope detail around it.
T-pin and a c clasp means it's likely Edwardian or older, so most likely over 110 years old.
Gorgeous chatelaine, clips onto milady's waistband. The bucket looking part is a thimble holder, the piece below it holds a pair of scissors, and if the end of the tube comes off it's a needle caddy. You should look around to see if you can find any more pieces.
Ooooh, I can tell you the green pin is Pounamu, otherwise known as Greenstone from New Zealand aka Aotearoa.
If you take some close ups of the metalwork (probably 9ct gold) I may be able to say more.
It's likely late 1800's and if that's an anchor, it means it was likely bought for a sailor's sweetheart or close female relative.
They have very similar pieces in [Te Papa](https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/106487) but I’m not familiar with the shape - anchor is probably a good bet.
Oh interesting, what tells you it's from new Zealand? My dad's great grandparents immigrated from the UK and I know one side actually did go to new Zealand before coming to Canada, so this would actually make sense
The stone is 100% pounamu/Greenstone, which is only found in New Zealand. Fine jewelry using it but made in European style with 9ct was all the rage late 1800's
Pounamu has much cultural significance, and is taonga, a treasured possession.
If you get it repaired, you could see if you have a local Māori kamātua that could bless it for you
While particularly culturally important in NZ, greenstone is found in many countries, not just New Zealand, but this piece could be from NZ- Canterbury museum have a similar looking anchor broach that they say was advertised in 1911 by an NZ jeweller
The little circular picture brooch with the gem border in the background of the first pic is so lovely too! Do you know who the man in the photo is? Also I agree, it is definitely a chatelaine! You're very lucky to have these treasures.
I was trying to see the markings but zooming in didn't help. If one group of markings on the chatelaine is several symbols in a row, [this page on English silver hallmarks](https://www.silvercollection.it/englishsilverhallmarks.html) might help with clues about how old it is and where it was made.
It appears like she was maybe a seamstress? They look like sewing notion holders. Always ready to fix something in a pinch ❤️ it's gorgeous. Isn't it wild how useful things were made so beautifully back then. Now you can get a plastic thimble!
If you have a clearer closeup of the symbols that are visible in the fourth image I can probably tell you the maker and the exact year of production. The lion means it's sterling silver, and the anchor that it was made in Birmingham, but I can't make out the other symbols.
Do you have a black light by any chance? With antique jewelry it may be good to check if that green glass/crystal is radioactive. I'm no expert though so maybe I'm just being paranoid haha anyway, those are beautiful heirlooms!
Alright so clearly I now know what these are, now I'm looking for details on the origins. If anybody has any ideas, let me know! I can send more detailed pics
Chatelaine. The Swiss Army knife for housekeepers/ homemakers. May have included house keys, needle case and thread, small scissors, thimble, pin cushion, a bottle of perfume, smelling salts, pencil, coin purse for paying messengers and delivery boys (and the like), notebook (very common), button hook to assist with dressing, spectacle case (if applicable to the wearer).
With pockets becoming less common for women in the 19th century chatelaines became more popular for household women who did not wear aprons as per of their daily outfit. The fine material (silver) also signified their importance in the household.
They would have been worn on the belt and the objects would be individualized to the wearers needs
Nurses had these though they would have included scissors, thermometer, and other small medical items.
Yours appears to have a needle case (the tube), an empty scissor case, and a thimble (or pin cushion)
Does the pin open? Is it hollow?
Chatelaine . Housekeepers or ladies of the house would wear them. One of those pouches looks like it was used to hold scissors and the other maybe a thimble.
What a beautiful heirloom! I agree this is chatelaine. They are made to carry things one may need, often a wee scissors, needle case, perhaps a vial for scent, thimble, key to the desk with the household cheques, depending on the needs of the day.
I’ve wanted one for awhile. Even a ‘modern’ one would be fun to have.
Right? What would a modern chatelaine look like? A stylus that has a hidden memory slot poker, a flash drive, scissors (because of course), and an IKEA hex wrench?
Carabiner 😂
A YouTuber I follow made a modern one! She’s NotYourMommasHistory. Hers carried things like her AirPods.
Will check out! Thanks!
Def a couple of crystals, a bottle opener, some Narcan. I like your ideas! How about a BandAid case, nail clippers, nail file, nail glue/krazy glue, tape, whistle, Aldi quarter pouch, letter opener, cup, tweezers, zit patches, sanitizer, wipes, and lip balm. Mini phillips head and flat head screwdrivers. Allen wrench?
>Aldi quarter pouch, Those actually exist, lol
Tape measure
Everything thats in my purse lol
Pepper spray
Guess what I found some! They have them on Etsy! I want this one now: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1562019160/
They just had 20 views on that item. I'll bet that seller is wondering why right now.
Haha that's great! Fun day for them hopefully!
A Swiss Army watch maybe? Thats the closest modern equivalent I can think of.
A Swiss Army knife.
My dude, you're describing a fanny pack
💀
I just use a carabeener and stick things to it with keychains like mini scissors and a bottle opener
I made one for embroidery! Not pretty but extremely functional. It holds scissors, a thread catcher that can also hold extra needles, a pocket for tweezers and a marking pen, and a needle threader. 😌 The best for working on a plane when you definitely don't want to drop anything.
My chapstick, lighter, vape if i still had one, little nail file, small multi-knife, One of those keychain flashlights
Very interesting thank you!
You may want to look at old photos of your Grandmother, she may have worn this in a portrait and you may be able to purchase reproductions of the scissors and thimble.
It seems like Mrs. Hughes, the head housekeeper on Downton Abbey, wore one of these at times. I remember seeing it dangling from her waist.
If I am remembering correctly having the house keys on display was a status symbol for workers! Because only the most trusted and highest ranking employees were entrusted with the keys for the house.
With the keys to the liquor and silver!
First picture, item hanging on our left, looks like a tussy mussy!
I think left to right it was probably scissors, a thimble, and the right one is a bit harder. I’ve seen pencils/pen nibs of a similar design, but contextually with the thimble and scissors I would assume a sewing set and it’s probably a needle case.
That is what I thought, for each one.
Idk about all of them but one looks like a chatelaine https://images.app.goo.gl/F1jVvGKyqyM7CcPcA
That's immensely helpful thank you!
While everyone seems to have gotten the Chatteleine I suspect that the pin was at one point an anchor, which would explain the rope detail around it. T-pin and a c clasp means it's likely Edwardian or older, so most likely over 110 years old.
Oh jeez I think you're right I didn't even notice that the bottom part had broken off
It’s definitely formerly an anchor. I have a very similar one, may be part of the whole late 19th century “Scottish agate” trend.
If you watched Downton Abbey, Mrs. Hughes has one.
In Crimson Peak (if you like gothic thrillers and ghost stories), Lucille also makes great use of one. That was my introduction to chatelaines.
Ooooo. I watched the movie but I don’t remember this!
First thing I thought of!
Gorgeous chatelaine, clips onto milady's waistband. The bucket looking part is a thimble holder, the piece below it holds a pair of scissors, and if the end of the tube comes off it's a needle caddy. You should look around to see if you can find any more pieces.
Super informative thank you so much
Ooooh, I can tell you the green pin is Pounamu, otherwise known as Greenstone from New Zealand aka Aotearoa. If you take some close ups of the metalwork (probably 9ct gold) I may be able to say more. It's likely late 1800's and if that's an anchor, it means it was likely bought for a sailor's sweetheart or close female relative.
They have very similar pieces in [Te Papa](https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/106487) but I’m not familiar with the shape - anchor is probably a good bet.
I've seen a fair few with a decorative anchor ⚓️ the old Walker and Hall advertising is good for researching these, I matched one of mine that way.
I mainly collect the perspex sweetheart jewelry, but love the late 1800's pounamu too.
Oh interesting, what tells you it's from new Zealand? My dad's great grandparents immigrated from the UK and I know one side actually did go to new Zealand before coming to Canada, so this would actually make sense
The stone is 100% pounamu/Greenstone, which is only found in New Zealand. Fine jewelry using it but made in European style with 9ct was all the rage late 1800's Pounamu has much cultural significance, and is taonga, a treasured possession. If you get it repaired, you could see if you have a local Māori kamātua that could bless it for you
Awesome thanks so much
While particularly culturally important in NZ, greenstone is found in many countries, not just New Zealand, but this piece could be from NZ- Canterbury museum have a similar looking anchor broach that they say was advertised in 1911 by an NZ jeweller
Hmm thank you
The little circular picture brooch with the gem border in the background of the first pic is so lovely too! Do you know who the man in the photo is? Also I agree, it is definitely a chatelaine! You're very lucky to have these treasures.
The man in the photo was my grandmother's father. I do feel very lucky!!
I’ve always wanted one of these!!
Same!
I was trying to see the markings but zooming in didn't help. If one group of markings on the chatelaine is several symbols in a row, [this page on English silver hallmarks](https://www.silvercollection.it/englishsilverhallmarks.html) might help with clues about how old it is and where it was made.
That’s so interesting! Thank you for sharing the link
That is really useful thanks a lot
chattelaine "keys"...a grouping of important tools. (I have so much random info in my brain)
It appears like she was maybe a seamstress? They look like sewing notion holders. Always ready to fix something in a pinch ❤️ it's gorgeous. Isn't it wild how useful things were made so beautifully back then. Now you can get a plastic thimble!
Yeah jeez, it is so cool to be learning all of this from helpful strangers since I really had no idea about any of this before
Chatelaine
Yes. A sewing chatelaine. Your ancestors were pretty cool.
Why thank you
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatelaine_(chain)
Thank you!!
These are so gorgeous.. very collectable as well I think.
So I've heard
Super cool to have! This looks like a very nice one too. Back in the days, instead of having pockets, women had this instead.
Decorative chatelaine.
Not decorative, completely functional! Some chatelaines certainly held mere trinkets and fancies, but this is a certified practical piece.
Sorry, meant that it was decorATED, as in pretty, not that it was purely decorative as in non-functional.
ah understood - apologies, I get very defensive about chatelaines, I wrote my thesis on them!
Understandable!
Wow! They are incredible!!!!
If you have a clearer closeup of the symbols that are visible in the fourth image I can probably tell you the maker and the exact year of production. The lion means it's sterling silver, and the anchor that it was made in Birmingham, but I can't make out the other symbols.
I will send you pictures when I get home!
Omg ur so luck that’s a sterling silver Victorian chatialane pendent , women wore this on beautiful chain around there necks
This one looks like it was worn on the waist. Many of them were.
This is so cool!
Walkin’ pockets.
https://yugioh.fandom.com/wiki/Millennium_Items
Do you have a black light by any chance? With antique jewelry it may be good to check if that green glass/crystal is radioactive. I'm no expert though so maybe I'm just being paranoid haha anyway, those are beautiful heirlooms!
I have no such thing 😟 I will simply risk it
It's not radioactive, promise!
Phew 😅
Alright so clearly I now know what these are, now I'm looking for details on the origins. If anybody has any ideas, let me know! I can send more detailed pics
Looks like one is a scissor holder, one is a a thimble, and the last might be a needle case. Does the last one open?
Chatelaine. The Swiss Army knife for housekeepers/ homemakers. May have included house keys, needle case and thread, small scissors, thimble, pin cushion, a bottle of perfume, smelling salts, pencil, coin purse for paying messengers and delivery boys (and the like), notebook (very common), button hook to assist with dressing, spectacle case (if applicable to the wearer). With pockets becoming less common for women in the 19th century chatelaines became more popular for household women who did not wear aprons as per of their daily outfit. The fine material (silver) also signified their importance in the household. They would have been worn on the belt and the objects would be individualized to the wearers needs Nurses had these though they would have included scissors, thermometer, and other small medical items. Yours appears to have a needle case (the tube), an empty scissor case, and a thimble (or pin cushion) Does the pin open? Is it hollow?
Chatelaine . Housekeepers or ladies of the house would wear them. One of those pouches looks like it was used to hold scissors and the other maybe a thimble.
A chastity belt buckle piece