Is This a Sporran

Hi,
Not sure about this piece, the chain is thick and heavy so not for a lady - could this be a Sporran - am I on the right track?
It hangs about 9" from the belt clip, crocheted front sewn on leather.
Any ideas appreciated!
thanks for looking.

 

Having learned what a sporran is - a few months ago - I'll still take a guess. I kinda don't think it looks like one. And very unusual materials. I think maybe it's part of a purse. Like this one. Then again, it's so heavy...

 

Reticule or chatelaine, I'm going with chatelaine because, although I found this hinged piece, it looks like most reticules are gathered affairs to carry - chatelaines were more functional, like a mobile device for women!

Reticule


Chatelaine

 

So... kind of a cross between a purse and a sporran?

EDIT
That "purse" I posted is actually probably a chatelaine, too! I didn't know the name for it! It clearly has that "hitch" to attach to a belt!

 

CX,

It sure looks like yours should open up

 

Nothing at all to do with a sporran. I have never seen a non-hairy sporran. The construction is quite different. I suspect this is a near eastern belt purse.

I would understand a chatelaine to be a clip holding a collection of household tools that the lady of the house (or chateau, hence the word) would need, and should not be applied to a single item like a purse.

.

 

I see your point, afa, but if it was used for work (like for a seamstress) I think it could still be a form of chatelaine. I see them also called kilt or belt purses. Maybe just trying to cover all the bases

The Killer Mobile Device for Victorian Women Yeah, I stole that! - but this is a fun site for chatelaines...


this bag/purse sold on ebay recently

 

As already said, it's a late 19th-early 20th century crocheted, beaded chatelaine bag, probably commercially produced, but may also have been home-made from a pattern or kit. Anything a lady might need or want handy could be hung from a chatelaine, including purses, watches, etc. - by the time this piece was produced, chatelaines were marketed for holding single items as well as multiple pieces...

Any marks on the frame or hook?

~Cheryl

 

Thanks for all the replies folks
desperate, it does open up.

I'm with af, I've always thought a chatelaine was a chain with hooks worn around the waist.
No marks anywhere. I think this was probably home-made from the stitching inside. The body is leather with the crocheted part sewn onto that. The leather reminds me of deer skin pouches I've seen, but no idea on how to tell what type of leather it is.
The size of the chain seems odd with the beaded design on this.

 

that is an interesting site scoutshouse, thanks for posting it

 

Lovely thing , are those beads steel ?

 

I believe they are johnny!

 

The chain looks fine to me, these are not particularly uncommon, and were very popular in their time, made of all sorts of materials - leather, fabric, mesh, etc., and in this case, crocheted with steel beads (patterns and instructions, as well as supplies, could be found advertised in ladies magazines). They were widely available, the clips below are from a 1901 Sears, Roebuck catalog...

~ Cheryl

 

Yep. I've found more than a few of these in varying states of repair. These purses were pretty much standard female attire. You had to have a place for coins, trolley fare, a tissue, etc when you went out. We didn't start needing those big 'ol Mom Bags until considerably later.

 

Those ads are fantastic dragonfly, thank-you for posting them I love to see the prices of things!
So purses can be called a 'chatelaine', my 'something new' for today - thanks for that scoutshouse & dragonfly!

 

Wouldn't be called a 'chatelaine', it's a 'chatelaine bag/purse' because of the attached chatelaine hook...

~Cheryl

 

EDC History: Chatelaines

Check it out.........................^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Looks like leather is chamoise

 

The ad for "bag tops" would indicate that making such bags was a pretty popular craft project for ladies of the time. Buy the top, sew on a cloth or leather bag, decorated to one's taste.
Means there are probably many around that were not made by any particular commercial maker; along with many that were commercially-made.

 

thanks folks
cool site scoutshouse, thanks for posting it!