French
Châtelaine, 18th century
Gold; gouache on ivory; stones, 20.9 x 13.1 cm (8 1/4 x 5 3/16 in.)
This chatelaine of gold filigree and ivory from France was designed with three hanging chains. The middle and widest chain descends from a triangular center, where there is an ivory cameo of a pastel pastoral scene. Below are three small cameos also of pastoral scenes. At the bottom and fastened by a ring on the chain is a pocket watch, the front of which has a cameo of a woman's head and shoulders encircled by a gold frame embedded with clear jewels. On the reverse side of the cameo is a watch, also encircled with jewels. The chain on our left holds a richly ornamented gold scissors case, with scissors slightly poking out. On our right, the chain has a small gold circle with a large clear jewel in the center descending to a widened ornamental bottom where two magnifying lenses are attached.
Gold; gouache on ivory; stones, 20.9 x 13.1 cm (8 1/4 x 5 3/16 in.)