File:Chateleine - illustration (FindID 55600).jpg

English: Chatelaine : Copper-alloy Chatelaine of probable 2nd Century AD date. The decorative plate is rectangular in shape, with a pattern of 11 triangular insets, all but one of which still contain traces of the red and light blue enamel decoration. The dimensions of the main plate are 38.2mm long by 12.1mm high, and 3.1mm thick. Extending from the top of the main plate is a small oval copper-alloy knob, which was cast with the plate and measures 6.4mm long, by 5.2mm wide and 3.5mm high. This probably served as a point of attachment for a cord or leather strap. Two sub-circular lugs are attached to the under- side of the plate (one at each end) and serve to hold in place a copper-alloy wire, the support bar on which the three remaining toiletry implements hang. This wire was broken on arrival at the museum but was mended during conservation work.

The toiletry implements are as follows (from left to right as you look at the Chatelaine.)

Tweezers: Bent but otherwise intact. Measures 51mm high and consists of a copper-alloy strip which has been cast in one piece and bent double to form the implement. The width of the strip is 3.6mm with flat opposing inner surfaces, slightly convex outer surfaces, and rounded terminals. The central loop which hangs over the bar is slightly narrower at 2.3mm wide.

Possible Ear scoop: Pointed implement with circular cross section. Measures 51mm long, by up to 4.1mm wide. Attached to support bar by a small loop. Below the suspension loop are a series of decorative mouldings. The implement narrows gradually towards a point, which is slightly curved and may have once held a small scoop.

Nail cleaner: Measures 49mm long, but it is slightly bent and the original length was probably the same as the other implements. It is attached to the the bar by a small suspension loop, below which are a series of decorative mouldings. Below these mouldings is a flattened sub-oval plate, which was probably designed to make it easier to hold. This plate tapers into a thin shaft measuring 30.6mm long, by 1.9mm wide. The distal end is pointed.

Conclusion: A rare and well-preserved example. No exact parallels have been found. See references for similar examples.