Watch and chatelaine 18th century

This watch and chatelaine was crafted by Francis Perigal in the mid-18th century, a period defined by strict social hierarchies. This decorative accessory speaks volumes about the wearer’s identity within that era. Worn primarily by women of the upper classes, the chatelaine was more than just a practical item for holding keys or a watch; it was a symbol of status and domestic power. The intricate gold work and jeweled embellishments served to visually assert the wearer’s privileged position. The watch itself marked the rise of temporal awareness and the increasing regulation of daily life. This combination of the watch and the chatelaine underscores the intersection of gender, class, and the societal expectations placed on women to manage the domestic sphere with precision and elegance. Consider how this object embodies a complex interplay of time, status, and gender roles. The chatelaine is an intimate emblem of a life lived within very particular social constraints, yet also one of personal agency.