Object of the Day, Museum Edition: The Schindler Chatelaine, 1760

Enameled Gold Chatelaine
Part of a set by Philipp Ernst Schindler
1760
The Victoria & Albert Museum

While Eighteenth-Century Viennese goldsmiths were widely heralded for their exceptional gold boxes, they also produced a wide range of other luxury items which would have been found in Europe's most affluent households.

The lady of a fine house would always have had a superb chatelaine--a pin from which she could suspend a watch and other necessary household items.  Even cherished housekeepers would sometimes be gifted such extravagant items.  Take this glorious chatelaine, for example, which represents the best of the Viennese tradition of  enameled gold objects.

The Schindler Chatelaine, made by Philipp Ernst Schindler II, forms part of an exceptional set designed to neatly cater to the necessities of elegant life.  The set comprises an étui (or small case) with a knife, snuff spoon, toothpick and ear pick, watch and châtelaine (from which the watch hung) and a matching snuffbox. The chatelaine was worn at the waist either on a belt or apron.

Precious Time: A Watch Case and Chatelaine from George III, 1785

Watch Case
and
Chatelaine,
Presented by
George III,
1785
The Royal
Collection

King George III enjoyed giving gifts to people. Next to presentation boxes, he most frequently gifted magnificent watches to close friends and family members. This beautiful watch case and chatelaine was a gift from George III from about 1785. A magnificent work in gold, enamel and diamonds, the piece was likely given as a gift to his godson, James George, Third Earl of Courtown. Another theory is that the watch and chatelaine were a gift to the parents of James George who were very close to the King and lived in Windsor Castle.


Regardless of to whom this beautiful object was given, it was later purchased from the family by King George V and Queen Mary so that it could be preserved in the Royal Collection. The watch case is layered in blue enamel and set with a crowned cipher of George III, set in diamonds. This diamond and enamel work matches the details on the chatelaine. A chatelaine is a rather elaborate belt-hook from which a series of chains hang. The chains were meant to hold commonly used household items such as watches, scissors, keys, seals, etc. Curiously, chatelaines were almost exclusively worn by women, so why George III bestowed so many to male friends is quite mysterious. Nevertheless, when you receive a gift from the King, it’s always a good idea to accept it—especially when it’s as lovely as this.

Gifts of Grandeur: A Watch and Chatelaine 1580-1750

 

Watch and Chatelaine
Chatelaine, German--1580
Watch, English--1750
The Victoria and Albert Museum

Chatelaines were employed for centuries to hold useful items such as watches, keys and small utensils. We’ve looked at other chatelaines before, but this one is particularly handsome.

The chatelaine we see here was made around 1580 in Germany and features a pendant jewel in gold enamel and mother-of-pearl which shows the Centaur Nessus carrying Deianiera.

A gold watch with gilt metal adornment, moss agate and diamonds hangs from the chatelaine. The watch dates to about 1750 and the movement is signed “John Pyke, London, no. 959” and bears case-maker's mark “WI.”

Mastery of Design: The Schindler Chatelaine, 1760

Enameled Gold Chatelaine
Part of a set by Philipp Ernst Schindler
1760
The Victoria & Albert Museum

While Eighteenth-Century Viennese goldsmiths were widely heralded for their exceptional gold boxes, they also produced a wide range of other luxury items which would have been found in Europe's most affluent households.

The lady of a fine house would always have had a superb chatelaine--a pin from which she could suspend a watch and other necessary household items.  Even cherished housekeepers would sometimes be gifted such extravagant items.  Take this glorious chatelaine, for example, which represents the best of the Viennese tradition of  enameled gold objects.

The Schindler Chatelaine, made by Philipp Ernst Schindler II, forms part of an exceptional set designed to neatly cater to the necessities of elegant life.  The set comprises an étui (or small case) with a knife, snuff spoon, toothpick and ear pick, watch and châtelaine (from which the watch hung) and a matching snuffbox. The chatelaine was worn at the waist either on a belt or apron.

Precious Time: A Watch and Chatelaine 1580-1750



Watch and Chatelaine
Chatelaine, German--1580
Watch, English--1750
The Victoria and Albert Museum

Chatelaines were employed for centuries to hold useful items such as watches, keys and small utensils. We’ve looked at other chatelaines before, but this one is particularly handsome.

The chatelaine we see here was made around 1580 in Germany and features a pendant jewel in gold enamel and mother-of-pearl which shows the Centaur Nessus carrying Deianiera.

A gold watch with gilt metal adornment, moss agate and diamonds hangs from the chatelaine. The watch dates to about 1750 and the movement is signed “John Pyke, London, no. 959” and bears case-maker's mark “WI.”

Precious Time: A Watch Case and Chatelaine from George III, 1785

Watch Case
and
Chatelaine,
Presented by
George III,
1785
The Royal
Collection

King George III enjoyed giving gifts to people. Next to presentation boxes, he most frequently gifted magnificent watches to close friends and family members. This beautiful watch case and chatelaine was a gift from George III from about 1785. A magnificent work in gold, enamel and diamonds, the piece was likely given as a gift to his godson, James George, Third Earl of Courtown. Another theory is that the watch and chatelaine were a gift to the parents of James George who were very close to the King and lived in Windsor Castle.


Regardless of to whom this beautiful object was given, it was later purchased from the family by King George V and Queen Mary so that it could be preserved in the Royal Collection. The watch case is layered in blue enamel and set with a crowned cipher of George III, set in diamonds. This diamond and enamel work matches the details on the chatelaine. A chatelaine is a rather elaborate belt-hook from which a series of chains hang. The chains were meant to hold commonly used household items such as watches, scissors, keys, seals, etc. Curiously, chatelaines were almost exclusively worn by women, so why George III bestowed so many to male friends is quite mysterious. Nevertheless, when you receive a gift from the King, it’s always a good idea to accept it—especially when it’s as lovely as this.