A lady's chatelaine pencil case

US$580.00

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[A lady's chatelaine pencil case, with Japanese motifs]

[Craftsperson unidentified].

[S.l., ca. 19th century?].

A beautiful chatelaine pencil case, possibly Victorian, featuring distinctly Japanese motifs. The pencil case would have been attached to a chain hung from a decorative belt clasp (chatelaine). Useful household items like scissors and keys could be hung from chatelaines, making them popular in the nineteenth century among women in particular. This  pencil case is more ornate than most, and features a chrysanthemum, an egret or crane, other various birds and trees, irises, wisteria, a butterfly, and a tōrō lantern. A small image of a mountain, perhaps representing Mt. Fuji, with a crisscross pattern at its base can be seen at the bottom of the case on one side; this may be the maker's crest. The ability of the craftsperson to engrave such fine lines on a case measuring barely a centimetre in width is noteworthy.

One chatelaine pencil case, lacking pencil. Light rubbing to extremities. 7.5 x 1.2 cm.

A lady's chatelaine pencil case
Price: $580.00 (USD)