1860s sporrans: Highlanders of Scotland

[OC Richard]

I finally got round today to this little project: taking a detailed look at the sporrans seen in The Highlanders of Scotland.

I've not used all: some are duplicates, some are somewhat hidden.

Nearly all are long hair, probably goat hair. The exceptions will be shown at the end.

I thought I should sort them in some manner, and I've gone with cantle design.

First are sporrans with plain leather cantles. These serve the function of 20th century "day" sporrans, being usually associated with tweed "day" jackets.







These are exceptions to the norm, being short hair. They're the closest thing to our small 20th century pouchlike sporrans to be seen in The Highlanders of Scotland.

[OC Richard]

Next are sporrans with narrow metal rims.





I can't tell if this one has a metal or leather rim:



Next are sporrans with pierced metal cantles with leather inserts, first in brown leather:

[OC Richard]

and pierced metal cantles with black leather inserts. There are several more of these pentagonal metal cantles to be seen in the book; these are representative of what was a popular style:




Next are sporrans with all-metal cantles, sometimes with a leather gasket or liner:







In this one the liner extends down and creates a backing for a badge:

[OC Richard]

More all-metal cantles:

[OC Richard]

Next are the fascinating animal mask sporrans:






Last but not least are unique appearances. This one harkens back to the early 19th century:



And this is a style quite antique in 1868; is it a new reproduction or an 18th century original?

[artificer]

I fell in love with all of these the first time I saw them. I just love some of the cantle shapes that probably haven't been made since around the time these were painted.




These two in particular are on my "OMG I have to make these" list.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I find the mask/hair sporran combination to be an interesting one. It would be nice to see someone recreate that today.

[OC Richard]

For those thinking that MacLeay was an absinthe-addled abstract expressionist, let's compare his renderings with surviving cantles:







And here is a selection of Victorian cantles:

[saxandpipes]

Thanks so much for posting these.

I'm currently designing my own sporran, and this is very inspiring!


Cheers!

Michael

[creagdhubh]

Thanks so much for posting these.

I'm currently designing my own sporran, and this is very inspiring!


Cheers!

Michael

Good to hear Michael!

Will your bespoke sporran going to be along the lines of MacLeay's subjects? I designed a horse hair sporran (based off of one worn by one of MacLeay's Highland sitters, Lachlan Macpherson of Strathmashie), to be worn with my Highland evening attire, a couple of years ago with L&M Highland Outfitters, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and they did an absolutely perfect job! Naturally, they are know for creating top-notch sporrans of alll sorts, which was one of the main reasons I decided to pursue them for my bespoke horse hair sporran.

Mine consists of a white horse hair body, 18" in length, with 6 short, black horse hair tassels. The cantle and cones are of silver, with embossed thistles. The cantle itself has a black patent leather center, with a silver thistle positioned appropriately. At some point, I plan to remove the thistle, and replace it with my "Guardian of the Clan Macpherson" badge, done in silver as well. I do love the sporran, however, I am much more fond of the overall 'look' that goat hair provides, versus the horse hair.

I look forward to seeing photos of your bespoke sporran, and please keep us posted on its progress - it's an exciting process!

Lachlan Macpherson of Strahmashie (aka Lachlan Mor, Champion of Scotland), on 'our' left, painted by Kenneth MacLeay, RSA.


My L&M bespoke horse hair sporran (Note - Cluny's Victorian era goat hair sporran in the first photo - quite lovely!).





Guardian of the Clan Macpherson silver badge


Piper, Atholl Highlanders - note the similarities between his sporran and mine.


Slainte,