Chatelaine, contains the notebook, a pocket knife, perfume holder, pocket mirror, a photo locket, and powder.
Chatelaine
Chatelaine is a decorative belt hook or clasp worn at the waist with a series of chains suspended from it. Originally, ‘Chatelaine’ is the French (female) word for a woman who is the ‘keeper’ of a castle or country house. This person, therefore, guarded the keys to a home, during Medieval times, and managed servants, the financial budget for the home and kept the associated books of financial statements.
A chatelaine is a clasp, worn as an ornament of jewellery, on which to hang items which were necessary for daily use, such as scissors, a fob watch, a pen and keys. It was able to be hung from a belt, pocket or girdle, and was originally used by both women and men, though over time they became highly fashionable for women.
Chatelaines were worn by many housekeepers, they were also worn by Anglo Saxon women, as seen from the burial record. Their use first began in England, during the 17th century, gaining their strongest popularity during the 18th-19th centuries.
Chatelaines have been made from several different materials. The most expensive were fashioned from gold, though there are examples made of cut steel, silver, brass and ‘pinchbeck’, which is a cheaper yellow alloy. Some were highly decorated with enamelling or beads, and inlaying was popular. Diamonds, gem stones and Wedgwood cameos were used, for example, though many other decorative elements were also incorporated.
Their popularity declined into the 19th century, and by the middle of this century, chatelaines were used as a functional item rather than as fashionable jewellery.