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Chatelaine Hook

1748
Made by Joseph Richardson, Sr. (American, 1711–1784)
A chatelaine is an accessory worn by women and used for suspending household and personal use items on short chains, ribbons, or strings. The form originated with the bunch of keys worn by the mistress of the castle in medieval times, later becoming a symbol of her authority. In time, the chatelaine evolved into an ornamental form worn at the waist or as a brooch.This chatelaine hook was made for the artist's wife, Mary Allen Richardson.

Object Details

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