This astonishingly well preserved example of a chatelaine (collection of personal grooming objects), is a high-status object made to be seen as much as used.
Bronze, enamelled Roman vanity set hung from a chatelaine
During the first century, at the end of the Iron Age and the beginning of the Roman period, fashions amongst the upper classes were changing, across much of central Britain with an emphasis on grooming. These changes reflect closer connections with European and Roman fashions and also a new emphasis on personal appearance within local communities. Northamptonshire has produced some of the earliest and most varied evidence of this shift.
This large vanity set from Collingtree contains two pairs of tweezers, two bladed nail-cleaners, an ear scoop for removing ear wax, and a file, all suspended together from a chatelaine, designed to be attached to a belt. Surviving traces of colourful enamelled decoration, and the sheer number of instruments, carefully laid out symmetrically, suggest that this was a high-status object, meant to be seen as well as used. Similarly impressive sets have been found in Continental Europe during the Iron Age, but this example is unique. The style of the metalworking suggests that it was made in Britain, perhaps northern England or southern Scotland, in the decades after the Roman conquest.
Several different types of grooming accessories were found at Collingtree in the area around a possible shrine, suggesting such these objects may have been appropriate offerings to the gods.
Number 28 of the objects selected for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects exhibition 2025.
© NMAG
©
NMAG
©
Peterborough Museum
©
NMAG
©
NMAG