

Set of six toilet instruments on a chain, called a chatelaine, probably English, 18th century
Known as a chatelaine, these five instruments for personal hygiene (and an animal foot) hang from silver chains – the animal foot may have been carried for good luck or to protect against illness. Chatelaines were worn on belts by wealthier men and women and could have a variety of items attached to them including pencils, watches, needles and corkscrews. Chatelaines are said to represent large bunches of keys carried by ladies in charge of large houses. These ladies were also known as ‘chatelaines’.
On display
Science Museum: Making the Modern World Gallery
If you are visiting to see this object, please contact us in advance to make sure that it will be on display.
Details
- Category:
- Public Health & Hygiene
- Object Number:
- A55258
- Materials:
- foot, horses and silver
- type:
- chatelaine
- taxonomy:
-
- furnishing and equipment
- costume
Cite this page
Rights
We encourage the use and reuse of our collection data.
Data in the title, made, maker and details fields are released under Creative Commons Zero
Descriptions and all other text content are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence
Download
Download catalogue entry as json
View manifest in IIIF viewer
Add to Animal Crossing Art Generator
Download manifest IIIF
Our records are constantly being enhanced and improved, but please note that we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information shown on this website.