- A 16th century Venetian courtesan -
Body Chains
updated ?
In 2019 I decided to make a body chain for the Knowne World Courtesans Roman Bacchanal At Pennsic XLVIII. I don't have the exact details for everything that I used, but I'll give as much info as I can. I didn't make this with any sort of aim toward historical accuracy, but I will say it's very loosely based on museum number 1994,0408.1 from the British Museum.
I went to Jo-Ann and browsed their jewelry supplies section for a center piece. I ultimately got this hildie & jo 7'' Brass Strung Beads-Multi Color Gem strand and used the red one. The metal accents over the cabochon part are just off-centered, which as you can imagine irritates me to no end.
I ended up getting chain from AC Moore. If I recall correctly, I estimated how much I would need by measuring from the center front of my bra over my shoulder to the closure in back (~17.5"), then again from the center front down to about the bottom of my rib cage back up to the closure in back again (~24.25"). I doubled both those measurements and got a bit extra just in case.
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I attached the chains to the fancy red piece in front, measured the approximate length for the 2 top and 2 bottom strands, and linked 1 of the top strands and 1 of the bottom strands to a (6mm?) split ring. To the other top and bottom strands I attached lobster clasps.
As it turns out, I am thin and flat-chested enough that I never have to unclasp the bottom strand with the lobster clasp. I can put on or take off the body chain by pulling the bottom 2 chains over my head like putting on a shirt, then pulling the attached top chain over my shoulder like a spaghetti strap. Then I pull the chains in the back up until the split ring is at the back of my neck (like a necklace) and clasp the other lobster clasp to it. Then I just position the red piece where I want it.
I could easily pin the chains at my shoulders to keep everything where I want it, but putting the chains on my shoulders on the outside of the buttons at my collar held them in place quite nicely.