Chatelaine, chased chatelaine

Chatelaines were items of jewellery which were used for carrying useful objects about the person. Usually worn by women, they generally carried a number of chains or hooks from which items, such as a watch or scissors, could be suspended. This chatelaine includes a thimble case with thimble still inside, a long case designed to carry a pencil, a scissor-case with scissors, and a scent flask containing a wad of fabric which would have been soaked in perfume. There is a fifth chain which has been broken off.

The surface is covered in classical and theatrical imagery, including a helmeted profile head on the clasp, and dancing 'commedia dell'arte' figures on the pencil and scissor cases. This detail has been 'chased', or worked into the surface of the metal with a tool.