Is it really early 1800's late 1700's

[The Wizard of BC]

Artificer,

You know far more about bags than I. Perhaps you could clear up something that has been bugging me for quite some time.

As I understand a Chatelaine was a chain arrangement worn by the lady of the house. They were worn on the belt and held household tools and keys. Scissors, needle cases, match boxes etc.

As I understand how the the word Chatelaine is currently used is to refer refer to the construction method of almost any beaded bags. Is this correct or not?

[artificer]

Artificer,

You know far more about bags than I. Perhaps you could clear up something that has been bugging me for quite some time.

As I understand a Chatelaine was a chain arrangement worn by the lady of the house. They were worn on the belt and held household tools and keys. Scissors, needle cases, match boxes etc.

As I understand how the the word Chatelaine is currently used is to refer refer to the construction method of almost any beaded bags. Is this correct or not?

My 'purse' knowledge is nowhere near complete, but as I am given to understand the 'chatelaine' purse is simply one meant to be worn from the belt/waist.

It does indeed have it's roots in the keeper of the house / lady of the house's "utility belt" chatelaine. This can be seen in the hook at the top of the chains which is meant to
secure it's place on the lady's belt.

I think the generic use of the term for a beaded or chainmail style bag without the requisite waist hook came into usage later (probably in the 20s-30, after the use of ACTUAL chatelaines had ended).

ith:

[Steve Ashton]

​I found this definition at the Adin fine antique jewelry site.

Chatelaine:

An ornamental clasp worn in daytime at a woman's waist, attached to a belt or girdle, with a hook-plate from which are suspended several (usually five, but up to nine) short chains terminating with rings or swivel catches to which are attached various small objects for daily household use.

Early examples had attached a seal and a watch; later, more articles were added, e.g. keys, watch keys, etui, pomander, scissors, thimble case, bodkin case, household notebook in a metal case, small purse, penknife, pin-cushion, and tape measure, as well as sometimes a gridle book, cameo, charm, and pendants.

Some chatelaines made for men were longer and were worn suspended at each thigh to conceal the openings on breeches; early examples held a watch, seals, and charms, but after c. 1800 they were simpler and no longer held a watch. Some chatelaines had two suspensory chains, joined at the belt by a short chain.

Chatelaines were made of gold, silver, pinchbeck, cut steel, and later polished steel, and were ornamented with enamelling, beads, beaded tassels, and sometimes medaillons of wedgwood's jasper; they very rarely had a gemstone.

They came into use in England in the 17th century and were very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, but c. 1830 declined in use as fashionable jewelry and were worn only for utilitarian purposes.




If you look at the section where they talk about the male Chatelaine....I was taught that this was the origins of the pocket watch chain and fob.