Antique Steel Sewing Chatelaine & Tools

English * Circa 1890s

This English steel chatelaine has a pierced waist plaque and five matching chains. The chains are particularly nice and unusual with smoothly twisted links. The chains hold a steel pinwheel, an aide memoire (notebook), a thimble bucket with thimble, a needle case/box and a pair of folding scissors. The thimble is steel lined with brass. It's in excellent condition, in round with no holes, dents or other damage and it's about an American size 7-8 (14.8 mm diameter opening). The little needle holder is unusual. It's in the form of a box with a push button opening on the side. Inside is a velvet square stuck with tiny needles and the case snaps closed perfectly. The scissors are stamped "Perry Patent, Brighton" and they open and fold closed smoothly. They are 3 1/8" long (when open) and cut very well. The notebook fans out with some "pages" to write on and the pin cushion is stuck with old pins.

The steel has discolored over the years but there's no rust or loss. The overall condition is very nice and it measures 17" from top to bottom. There is a sturdy steel clip at the back to fit over a belt or waistband. Some cut steel chatelaines of this style are shown on p. 199 (plate 193) of Chatelaines, Utility to Glorious Extravagance by Genevieve Cummins & Nerylla Taunton and two of them have this same waist plaque.

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