CHATELAINE

An incomplete post medieval copper alloy composite chatelaine. It consist of three parts; a large hook for attachment to a belt; a chain of 'S' links; and a thick piece of wire with looped ends. From the latter would have hung keys, toilet sets, etc.

The hook is formed of four thick pieces of wire (1.9mm diameter). One piece is bent to form an elongated oval with one larger looped end to form an attachment loop; the piece has then been bent in half and another piece of wire added to the centre to form a three-thick hook. The central piece is folded over the smaller loop terminal. Two more pieces of thick wire have been place on the outer edges next to the large attachment loop. These additions have their ends curled back to form four loop projections. The five-width section is then wrapped in thin copper alloy wire (0.8mm diameter), which holds the whole hook together. The thin wire has broken in places, and is now very delicate. The hook measures 66.2mm (length) x 30.6mm (width) x 15.3mm (thickness).

The 'S' link chain (234mm length x 6.1mm thickness) is fixed on to the hook via the large loop attachment end. At the other end of the chain is a further piece of thick copper alloy wire which has been threaded through the link and twisted to form a connecting loop. Two 'arms' then stretch out in opposite directions and have looped ends to enable objects to be hung from the chatelaine. This attachment measures 61.7mm (length) x 9.1mm (width).

The three parts are all made from the same copper alloy which is now a dull brassy colour; together they weigh 46.10g.

A similar chatelaine in the Museum of London collection (acc. no. A1974) has been dated to the second half of the 17th century, therefore a similar date is suggested.