This button hook dates to the early 20th century and more than likely, it once hung from a woman's chatelaine. A chatelaine is a now-obsolete keychain-like accessory that Victorian women would attach to their dresses or belts to keep everyday objects at the ready. Ladies would hold all kinds of things on chatelaines: vinaigrettes for smelling salts, tiny sewing kits, writing implement, or a button hook like this one to fasten tight buttons on gloves, boots, or sleeves. British hallmarks.