THE VICTORIAN WOMAN's TOOL BELT- THE CHATELAINE

A CHATELAINE is a decorative belt hook or clasp that was popular among housekeepers and fashionable women in the 19th century. Worn at the waist, it featured a series of short chains, each suspending a useful household item — such as scissors, a thimble, a watch, a key, a vinaigrette, a household seal, or a coin purse.

Originally utilitarian, the chatelaine evolved over time into a highly decorative accessory that reflected the taste and social status of its wearer. Some were beautifully crafted in silver, adorned with engraving or gemstones, and worn proudly as both a tool and a piece of jewelry.

What Is a Chatelaine Coin Purse?

A chatelaine coin purse (or chatelaine bag) was one of the small items that often hung from a chatelaine. Typically crafted from fine silver mesh or chainmail, these dainty purses were designed to hold coins or small personal items.

Suspended from a waistband or belt by a chain or cord, they combined practicality with style and became especially fashionable from the 1860s through the end of the 19th century. Today, antique chatelaine purses are prized for their intricate craftsmanship and elegant connection to the everyday life of Victorian women — imagine something Mrs. Hughes from Downton Abbey might have carried on her belt.