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Graisons Fine Jewellery

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Fabulous Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Chatelaine - Circa 1890’s-1900’s

Sale price$3,100.00 AUD

Laybys welcome! Contact Us today to secure your dream piece.

 

Step back into the elegant world of Victorian ladies with this stunning Sterling silver Chatelaine — a truly remarkable piece of wearable history from the late 19th to early 20th century.

In the Victorian and Edwardian home, a Chatelaine was both practical and a symbol of status — proudly worn at the waist, it kept essential sewing and household tools elegantly at hand for the lady of the house. This example is in excellent condition, with crisp detailing and a beautiful antique patina that only adds to its character.


This fabulous Chatelaine is beautifully crafted throughout, featuring intricate pierced and engraved silverwork with floral and scroll motifs. The ornate main plaque is hallmarked for Lawrence Emmanuel of Warstone Parade Birmingham,  with additional maker’s marks and date letters visible on the various components,  telling the story of its careful assembly by skilled silversmiths of the era. The main body of the chatelaine is date letter stamped for 1899, and the various tools range from 1899 through to 1916 - all are beautiful matched! (See below for details).

Suspended from the five ornate chains — each ending in its original stamped dog-clip clasp — hangs a charming collection of useful tools: a hinged thimble holder, a delicate button hook, an aide-mémoire, and a beautiful pair of embroidery scissors (still delightfully sharp!) complete with their matching ornate sheath, and a tape measure (the tape is sadly missing or completely inside).

Weighing an impressive 143 grams, this Chatelaine has a lovely substantial feel while remaining comfortable to wear. The main body still retains its original stitched ribbon backing, a rare and charming detail that protected fine clothing from marks.

Timeless, functional, and utterly captivating — a rare surviving piece of Victorian daily elegance!

Dimensions Top to longest tool (scissor holder) 36cm
Weight 143 Grams
Hallmarks

Chatelaine
‘LE’  Makers marks - Lion passant - Birmingham - ‘Z’ for 1899
Lawrence Emanuel, Warstone Parade, Birmingham

Scissors
‘L & S’ - Lion passant - Birmingham - ‘g’ for 1906

Scissor holder
‘Cs FS;- Lion passant - Birmingham - ‘p’ for 1899
Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings (Frank) Shepherd - Bartlett's Passage, Holborn Circus, London; subsequently Fetter Lane, London EC4

Tape
‘EE’ - Lion passant - Birmingham - ‘y’ for 1898
E Edmonds - Warstone Lane, Birmingham

Thimble
No hallmarks we can find - tested as Sterling Silver 

Hook
Birmingham - Lion passant - ‘g’ for 1916

Aide memoire
’HM’ - Lion passant - Birmingham - ‘x’ for 1897
Henry Matthews - Vittoria Street, Birmingham

Era Victorian 1837-1901
Stones None

Condition

Excellent antique condition.  This is a superb piece - (please note the tape measure does not have a working tape, maybe lost inside!), Scissors are in perfect working order, still sharp!  Thimble holder opens closes perfectly, original red velvet to lid.  Aide memoire contains 4 sleeves, all in excellent order.  No dents or dings.  Chatelaine is excellent, all hinges perfect.  No repairs or damages.  Superb!

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