Antique French Late 19th Century Sterling Silver Carved Coin Purse, Double Clasp Chatelaine, Downton Abbey Fan

A French sterling silver carved purse, originally worn as an accessory on the waist in earlier times. Features a classic sterling silver carved frame with a beaded purse body. The intricate carving detail is exquisite, and the clasp mechanism functions smoothly. The clasp is adorned with two translucent blue plastic elements. The small purse was a statement piece on the waist, or could be one of many. What must be shared is the concept of the Chatelaine, originating in the 18th century. This was a decorative accessory worn at the waist by ladies, with styles similar to the last image in the provided photos. Their sashes resembled a hardware store or jewelry shop, from which various useful items would be suspended, such as purses, scissors, sewing kits, matchboxes, watches, mirrors, paper cutters, notepads, pencils, glove clasps, and perfume bottles. Ladies of high status might carry items of genuine gold, lockets, and other small trinkets made of real gold and enamel. Each lady's belt was designed according to her needs and could also serve as a symbol of her status. People could infer much about a lady's daily activities based on the items she chose to carry. For instance, consider Mrs. Hughes from the television series Downton Abbey. Her chatelaine might hold the keys to every door in Downton Abbey, along with a pair of scissors for occasional trimming or repairs, keeping everything and everyone in optimal condition. The overall condition is very good. Given its history of at least 80 years, it is not as flawless as a brand-new or machine-made item. Please only purchase if you can accept this. Length: 7 cm, Width: 5.5 cm (this measurement excludes the length of the small silver pendant at the bottom). Discover more charming trinkets at Treasure Trove: https://www.pinkoi.com/store/goldsilverbaby * Care Instructions - Wipe clean with a dry cloth. - Do not use silver polishing cloths. Absolutely avoid wearing it to the beach or hot springs, and do not dance in the rain while wearing it. - After wearing, clean and store in a resealable plastic bag. - Keep in a dry storage location. * A Gentle Reminder Each item in our shop is inspected and confirmed to be in working order before being sold. Therefore, we are unable to offer refunds or returns due to personal preferences. Due to variations in photography lighting and computer display settings, there may be slight discrepancies between the color of the photos and the actual product. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us! Thank you for your interest.