Victorian chatelaine

Chatelaine, 1863 – 1885, probably England. Museum no. M.32:1 to 13-1969. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London Empty a woman's handbag inside out and you've got the right idea about the chatelaine. Before purses were a woman's primary accessory, this curious contraption that fell into the annals o

V&A curator Lucia Savi shares the five most significant handbags from the V&A’s Bags: Inside Out exhibition, from Sarah Jessica Parker’s Fendi Baguette and Jane Birkin’s first-ever Hermès Birkin and Margaret Thatcher’s handbag.

Chatelaine (England), ca. 1890

This is my version of a chatelaine belt which historically, is a set of short chains attached to a woman's belt, used for carrying keys or other items. The belt chain is 40” long . Both ends of the chain have a latch so you can attach from either side and hook up the extra chain. I will include a jump ring that can be attached where you need it, this way it is adjustable to accommodate many waist sizes.

Nurse's Chatelaine

When writing this post, I initially started writing about how a problem facing many historical costumers is carrying all of our bits and bobs when many dresses come without pockets, and how finding appropriately period purses can be difficult. And I was going to talk about how that's what prompted me to want a chatelaine,…

19th century silver metal chatelaine, silver coloured heart shape, aide memoir, scent bottle/vinaigrette, snuff box, Victorian costume