Matching metals

[figheadair]

Matching metals for an evening event. Well, as closely as possible.

Sporran - William Buchanan Taylor, Edinburgh 1906

Buttons - Brook & Sons, Edinburgh 1910

Sgian Dubh - Thomas Ebbert, Edinburgh, 1923

[jhockin]

I especially like the buttons. Would I be correct in guessing all metals are silver?

[Jock Scot]

What lovely things to own, see, use and enjoy Peter. Before we head off with the idea that all metal with one’s kilt attire must match then think again because they don’t have to, it’s nice if they do though.

There are a number of dress sporrans , military or, ex military one’s in particular, which have two, perhaps three, different metals of very obvious colour differences that have been and still are worn happily on occasion today without a thought of matching, the buttons, the watch chain, and the like, by those wearing them and those viewing them.

[figheadair]

I especially like the buttons. Would I be correct in guessing all metals are silver?

.
Yes they are. All hallmarked, hence the dates.

[OC Richard]

My impression- from looking at many vintage images- is that matching silver has long been considered "proper" for Evening Dress. Viewing the matter from the opposite side, brass would look too informal for Evening.

In Day Dress, imagery suggest that in the 19th century German Silver was the most common metal. When polished up, German Silver (AKA cupro-nickel or nickel-silver) has quite the resemblance to silver.

As the 20th century progressed, and especially by the 1960s or so, brass started becoming popular for Day accoutrements. In the last decades of the 20th century one began seeing all-brass accoutrements in Day outfits. Suddenly even nickel kilt-buckles were considered out-of-place in Day outfits by some.

On the other hand the military has long freely mixed gilt and silver accoutrements and trimmings.

Time for pictures!

The preponderance of silver, and the odd appearance of brass, in Victorian Highland outfits. Is the 18th century style sporran a century-old original, or a revival?

Note that Victorian "day" tweed outfits tended to avoid/minimise metal in general.



In the Highland regiments metals were freely mixed, perhaps nowhere more so than in the Black Watch; for those keeping score at home, it's

Gilt:
doublet buttons, lace, and embroidered badges
sporran cantle
dirk
sgian


Silver:
crossbelt and waistbelt hardware
lower crossbelt badge
collar badges
plaid brooch
bagpipe mounts

Bi-metal silver and gilt:
upper crossbelt badge

[figheadair]

Worn at an event at the Palace of Holyrood House.

[kilted redleg]

Peter

I like that splash of blue against the dark background in your jacket in the first photo. As usual your ensemble is perfection!

[Shinenotburn]

If you don't mind me asking Peter. What tartan are you wearing in this photo? It looks splendid as does your entire kit. Exquisite!