Chatelaine
Derived from the French for "lady or mistress of the castle," and related to the cordelière, a chatelaine was first worn in the 16th and 17th centuries and consisted of a chain with attached items such as a cross and keys. Both decorative and functional, the 19th-century version usually consisted of a central decorated clip that attached to the waistband or belt with a hook at back, such as this example. Several items draped from chains attached to the central clip, and included items a woman might need during her daily routine. This example includes a wax holder for sealing letters, a pencil, notebook and chain mail purses. The notebook, wax holder and pencil each have a distinctly Middle Eastern sensibility, particularly reminiscent of the highly detailed scrolling filigree patterns interspersed with small flower heads often seen in Persian design motifs.
Artwork Details
- Title: Chatelaine
- Date: fourth quarter 19th century
- Culture: probably French
- Medium: metal, enamel, paper
- Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Miss H. O. Kleber, 1961
- Object Number: 2009.300.2007a–f
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
French
1824
French
1804–5
Maison Léoty
1891
House of Worth
Charles Frederick Worth
ca. 1872
French
ca. 1872
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.