Full mask sporran: Yea or Nay?

**DrumMayer** · 28th July 10, 12:31 AM

Doing a bit of on-line window shopping for yet another sporran, and noticed many more full mask sporrans on offer than the recent past (at least to my subjective eye). I really hope this isn't coming back into fashion, as I despise the things. Don't get me wrong, I love animals, especially the ones that taste good. I just think it looks uncouth to have what appears to be a rodent of some kind "emerging," so to speak...

But then fashion has never been my strong suit. What say you? Yea or nay on the full mask?

**artificer** · 28th July 10, 05:24 AM

Personally speaking, I like them. I do have to add several caveats with this statement to make it 'true' for me...

1) the workmanship should be superlative, otherwise it looks like road-kill in your lap.

2) go for 'size appropriate' animals. I once saw a guy with a brown bear full mask! Who is compensating for something?

Conversely, if you 6'4 and 23 stone, you might want something bigger than a weasel.

3) Sometimes people have too much 'bling', with badges, cockades, fly plaids, dirks, claymores, targes, etc, etc, etc... I think that something like a full mask should be THE accent to your outfit. It shouldn't be at risk of getting lost in the outfit.

**OC Richard** · 28th July 10, 05:40 AM

To my eye they're very traditional-looking, for example

and I used to wear one back in the 1980's

but I know what you mean about the "road kill" factor, mostly when I see a bunch of them in a case

**DrumMayer** · 28th July 10, 04:25 PM

Well, I must say I stand corrected! Though the returns are still early, it seems the majority who express an opinion do like the full mask. Thanks to all for the thoughtful and insightful comments. (As an aside, I'm rather new here, and find the civility and good humour of the conversations to be an enjoyable change from many another forum. Thank you all!)

However, I must take exception to a point made by OC Richard, and followed upon by others:

"To my eye they're very traditional-looking..."

In our house growing up, anything less than 300 years old was just a passing fad, yet to prove itself!

Your illustrations appear to me to be no older than the 19th century, which reinforces the notion that animal mask sporrans are a Victorian (thus not Gaelic) invention; this I remember from childhood, but alas have no references to hand. Does any one have any solid research on this? And by the way, OC Richard, you do look most dashing in your piping pic.

**Tobus** · 28th July 10, 05:43 AM

I think full mask sporrans are perfectly suitable, being as they are a solidly traditional piece of Highland attire. It's not really "fashion" at all. In fact, "fashion" has more to do with all the other non-traditional sporrans people are wearing nowadays.

That said, I do think that full mask sporrans can easily go over the edge. A badger, fox, or other traditional and normal animal is great. Skunk is pushing it a little (for me, anyway).

**Spc. Scott** · 28th July 10, 05:48 AM

I think they are a great addition to an outfit. Artificer made some really good points about what makes them or breaks them.

Although it wont be full mask, I just picked up a beautiful pelt that I have plans for. Believe it or not, it's an opossum. Really good looking pelt.

**Jock Scot** · 28th July 10, 05:57 AM

I am glad that you trimmed the bottom left hand side of "THAT" picture OCR!!!

**Manitoban Keith** · 28th July 10, 06:17 AM

I have always liked the full mask sporran and almost purchased one for my wedding a little while back. Unfortunately my darling wife-to-be at the time said I was not allowed to have dead animal faces on my crotch at the wedding, lol. I settled for a nice semi-dress targe with sealskin instead.

**Nighthawk** · 28th July 10, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by Manitoban Keith

I have always liked the full mask sporran and almost purchased one for my wedding a little while back. Unfortunately my darling wife-to-be at the time said I was not allowed to have dead animal faces on my crotch at the wedding, lol. I settled for a nice semi-dress targe with sealskin instead.

I have to agree with your fiance... I think they things are a little unnerving. It's the eyes, really.

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I am glad that you trimmed the bottom left hand side of "THAT" picture OCR!!!

I was personally a little dissapointed! It looses it's impact!

And as to the traditions of the full mask, I fully understand them and respect them, and would never tell someone that they can't or shouldn't wear one. It's just really not for me! I look at those things and see my little kitty Barbosa!

**Kaw-Liga** · 28th July 10, 08:10 AM

Might as well have something dead out side of the kilt.

Already have something dead inside.

Kaw-Liga

[QUOTE=Manitoban Keith;900456] I was not allowed to have dead animal faces on my crotch QUOTE]