Beautiful Silver Chatelaine

[lenmac65]

It took me a while to ID this item, but it is apparently a sterling silver chatelaine. A woman would attach this piece to her sash, which she would then clip functional or decorative items to, as shown in the picture below. I was originally thinking some sort of money clip or brooch, but the two clips on the back are a giveaway for the chatelaine ID (one held it on the belt or sash, the other held the attachments). Based on the maker's mark, I determined that the Blackinton Company made this one. These were apparently popular in the late Victorian era and into the early 1920s, which fits nicely with the property's age and some other past finds. I dug it at about 6 inches down at a former homesite. It rang up like a half dollar, as it is a good size chunk of silver. Also found an Indian Head penny, and a colorful glass button. Happy hunting, and good luck out there.

 

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[Elvis]

That's awesome. Congratulations

 

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[Tony in SC]

Cool find! Knew what they were but never saw one.

 

[HunterMF]

awesome finds and I love that you had great detail on what it was. It always makes it better when you know exactly what you have saved from being lost! Thanks for the share!

 

[Colonial Digger]

Nice and a interesting find , great job!

 

[Digger RJ]

Very Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Mason Jarr]

Cool stuff. Thanks for the lesson!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

What a great find Steve.
I was thinking it was possibly a money clip as well, mainly because I don't recall ever seeing one of these being found before.

Congrats on your find,
Dave

 

[lenmac65]

What a great find Steve.
I was thinking it was possibly a money clip as well, mainly because I don't recall ever seeing one of these being found before.

Congrats on your find,
Dave

Thanks Dave. I was thinking money clip at first too. However, this has the two clips on the back, as you can see in the profile picture I included. One slipped over the sash or belt, while the smaller one held the attachments. I think money clips normally just have the one clip for the bills, at least on the few that I have seen. Mine is not quite the style shown in the Victorian picture I included, but I have seen at least several examples of my variety online, assuming the sellers and posters identified them correctly. Thanks again. Look forward to your next post.

 

[ARC]

Thanks AARC... Here is a very similar one from the same company that is listed as a chatelaine. Maybe you just saw this now too. View attachment 1921355View attachment 1921356

Yeah... And i actually did a quick search last night to see if i was perhaps "off" and immediately saw some that were similar and posted AS the same but listed as something other than the next... --- you know... the ole "different but the same"...

you know... I think we should "delve" into this a little further actually... for there is a chance it could go either way on some... there is obvious listing confusion out there.... and might be others that are wanting a REAL confirmation on "what it is". (i actually think yours IS a money clip)

So...

let me tell you why i said money clip... first... i have seen them before... but that doesn't mean that it is... I said this because of the "clip" part...

Notice yours ?

Yours clip is "atypical" of a money clip and not the chatelaine style of belt clip IN the way its made... IE: No attachment holes.. no way to attach chain(s) etc.

Now... I really would like to see a closeup of that clip part to confirm this.

There is some obvious misrepresentation of BOTH the money clips AND chatelaine clips on the internet...

They "crossbred" them

Perhaps we can clear some of them up with a little more digging.

 

[ARC]

Thanks Dave. I was thinking money clip at first too. However, this has the two clips on the back, as you can see in the profile picture I included. One slipped over the sash or belt, while the smaller one held the attachments. I think money clips normally just have the one clip for the bills, at least on the few that I have seen. Mine is not quite the style shown in the Victorian picture I included, but I have seen at least several examples of my variety online, assuming the sellers and posters identified them correctly. Thanks again. Look forward to your next post.

Crapola... i stopped midway in writing the above... for i had nowhere near the coffee levels in my bloodstream to...

Only to post... and see you posted... arrrgg... heh

Soo... with your new post... this changes my opinion... IT MAY be a chatelaine clip... if in fact there is a way to attach the chain.

But.. would the chain hang correctly ? etc ?

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Thanks Dave. I was thinking money clip at first too. However, this has the two clips on the back, as you can see in the profile picture I included. One slipped over the sash or belt, while the smaller one held the attachments. I think money clips normally just have the one clip for the bills, at least on the few that I have seen. Mine is not quite the style shown in the Victorian picture I included, but I have seen at least several examples of my variety online, assuming the sellers and posters identified them correctly. Thanks again. Look forward to your next post.

I agree with ARC's statement above, "There is some obvious misrepresentation of BOTH the money clips AND chatelaine clips on the internet."
I'm certainly no expert when it comes to these pieces and I'm sure I couldn't tell the difference between money clips AND chatelaine clips.

Hope you get a clear answer to this, maybe consider posting this piece here for more opinions... What Is It?
Dave

 

[ARC]

I agree with ARC's statement above, "There is some obvious misrepresentation of BOTH the money clips AND chatelaine clips on the internet."
I'm certainly no expert when it comes to these pieces and I'm sure I couldn't tell the difference between money clips AND chatelaine clips.

Hope you get a clear answer to this, maybe consider posting this piece here for more opinions... What Is It?
Dave

Agreed... a thread titled "money clip or chatelaine clip ?" might be in order.

I personally need more coffee. ***YAWN***

 

[Silvermonkey]

A very nice piece lenmac65. I like the old- timey pic too!

 

[lenmac65]

I agree with ARC's statement above, "There is some obvious misrepresentation of BOTH the money clips AND chatelaine clips on the internet."
I'm certainly no expert when it comes to these pieces and I'm sure I couldn't tell the difference between money clips AND chatelaine clips.

Hope you get a clear answer to this, maybe consider posting this piece here for more opinions... What Is It?
Dave

Thanks, Dave. I think I will post it there later this afternoon.

 

[outlaws15]

AARC, I was thinking of how the chains would lay if just put through the clip. They would not be separated like the OP`s original picture. Until I read your post about holes that a chain could attach through and that would keep them separated at the top.

 

[ARC]

AARC, I was thinking of how the chains would lay if just put through the clip. They would not be separated like the OP`s original picture. Until I read your post about holes that a chain could attach through and that would keep them separated at the top.

Yes... when you think about the "functioning" of it... like the chain moving etc... it seemed un-probable that it was for a chatelaine.

Hence my money clip assesment.

 

[lenmac65]

Agreed... a thread titled "money clip or chatelaine clip ?" might be in order.

I personally need more coffee. ***YAWN***

Thanks...Here are a few more shots of the clip. I also put a screenshot from someone selling a Blackinton chatelaine showing how the attachment works. However, that person could be mistaken, of course. I wonder if this is neither a money clip or a belt chatelaine. Perhaps it fit over the collar as if a chatelaine to hang something? The woman in my picture has something similar, I think. I am antrigued, and am not sure what to think now. I will post this on what is it after work today.

 

[Relicific]

Stellar find
Congrats

 

[ARC]

Yep... exactly...

This is what I think Len's clip would be / work like...

 

[ARC]

But... if you notice... there is an obvious "top and bottom" in the overall designs of the Chatelaine clips... whereas in Lens clip there is not.