Victorian Goat Hair Sporran Reconditioned

[Dram]

It's just about done, most of the major work is complete.

This sterling silver sporran was made in 1873 in Glasgow, by Duncan Ferguson and is hallmarked on the reverse of the cantle. I VERY carefully cleaned and removed the tarnish from the cantle and cones, I didn't want to remove too much and wanted the design of the cantle be pronounced by leaving much of the tarnish in the depressions of the design.

The hair was filthy, and needed several washes to come clean. But it was well worth it in the end. The goat hair is very nice and has a beautiful color to it. I also did my best to recondition the leather/pelt.

What attracted me most to this sporran was the extreme detail and the use of thistle and clover in its design, I have never seen clover before on a cantle and think the way it was integrated with the thistle made a stunning effect. The cones of the tassles were also very decorated with interesting floral designs. The amount of craftsmanship that went into making the cones alone, is amazing.

I thought I'd share some pictures with all of you.

[turpin]

Those tassel cones are amazing! I love the red leather inside the filigree design. are you sure this is a goat hari sporran? Up close it looks like horsehair to me.

I agree with you - that cantle is just wonderful, and I think the cleaning struck a good balance between tarnish and shine. All in all, a fine job of cleaning and rejuvenation.

[Dram]

Those tassel cones are amazing! I love the red leather inside the filigree design. are you sure this is a goat hari sporran? Up close it looks like horsehair to me.

I agree with you - that cantle is just wonderful, and I think the cleaning struck a good balance between tarnish and shine. All in all, a fine job of cleaning and rejuvenation.

Good question. Light color hair is most definitely goat and the tassles I believe are horse hair.

Something else I found most interesting is that each section of the cantle is a little bit different: variations on the theme. Very well thought out artistically.

I am glad you think I did a good job. Thank you.

[ThistleDown]

Wonderful job of restoration, Dram. A superb piece of heritage saved.

Rex

[bchunter]

That's beautiful.

[Dram]

Wonderful job of restoration, Dram. A superb piece of heritage saved.

Rex

Thank you. I am going to do a little more work on it, but I am pleased with how it's gone thus far.

I of course will take great care of it. Someday it may need a new pouch but I will keep it original for as long as possible.

[piperdbh]

Are you sure the clover is clover and not shamrocks/siamrog? The maker might have intended a Scots-Irish connection in the piece.

That's a beautiful piece of silver, and you've done a slam-bang job of cleaning it.

[Dram]

Are you sure the clover is clover and not shamrocks/siamrog? The maker might have intended a Scots-Irish connection in the piece.

That's a beautiful piece of silver, and you've done a slam-bang job of cleaning it.

Thank you. I have always used clover and shamrock synonymously, so yes they are shamrocks.

I would actually be delighted if the maker or commissioner intended it to be this way, As in addition to being of Scots ancestry I am also Scot-Irish, and Irish. Most of my family on my maternal side settled early on in Virginia having come from through-out the British Isles. My paternal side came to the U.S. from co. Wexford Ireland, and Anglesey Wales.

This piece is a nice representaion of my own personal ancestry.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

An amazing piece. It shows just how inferior today's "custom work" is compared to what was available a century or so ago. Well done, indeed. (And I must spend more time on eBay...)

[McMurdo]

What a wonderful job you've done with it, that really is an exquisite piece.