Looking into sewing notions, I came across something new to me:
the chatelaine, an ornamental or utilitarian chain or clasp Victorian women wore fastened at the waist that held items like scissors, keys, needles, pencils, etc., that might be needed close at hand.
Celphalopods have been popular for several years now. But how bout this octopus chatelaine from around 1887?
From the Missouri Historical Society: This particular chatelaine holds a compact, perfume bottle, mirror, whistle, and pin holder.
[Note the crab on the compact.]
From illustrated article and interview with Genevieve Cummins, co-author of the book Chatelaines: Utility to Glorious Extravagance:
"Chatelaines: Utilitarian Charm"
the chatelaine, an ornamental or utilitarian chain or clasp Victorian women wore fastened at the waist that held items like scissors, keys, needles, pencils, etc., that might be needed close at hand.
Celphalopods have been popular for several years now. But how bout this octopus chatelaine from around 1887?
From the Missouri Historical Society: This particular chatelaine holds a compact, perfume bottle, mirror, whistle, and pin holder.
[Note the crab on the compact.]
From illustrated article and interview with Genevieve Cummins, co-author of the book Chatelaines: Utility to Glorious Extravagance:
"Like a customized Swiss Army knife, a chatelaine provided its wearer with the tools she needed close at hand. For a seamstress, that might include a needle case, scissors, thimble, and tape measure, while for a nurse it might mean thermometers, safety pins, styptics for dressing wounds, all sorts of things. Inspired by the complex key rings carried by la chatelaine, the female head of a French estate, these beautiful contraptions were fashionable as well as practical."More things found on chatelaines, with photos:
"Chatelaines: Utilitarian Charm"