A New Brass Cantle Design & Closing the Loop on Part of a VERY Long-Term Project

**artificer** · 12th April 13, 05:21 AM

Those that have been following my work might remember that 2.5 years ago (September 2010) I declared my intention to start two
long-term projects, horsehair sporrans based on the paintings of Kenneth MacLeay (most styles worn in these paintings are never seen today outside of a lucky family collection or a museum)

...and the start of my brass cantle project.

I was driven by frustration at the difficulty in finding ANY lovely old cantles and the museum-grade prices they commanded when they did rarely surface for auction.

These were my two original sketches-

The idea of casting the cantles fell by the wayside after the original master came back from casting - so I began to work on built-up construction.

The round cantle design was brought to life last summer-

The half-octogon with the round bottom profile has now been crafted as well:

Front view:

Bag in soft chocolate cowhide, sporran badge supplied by the commissioner

Detail:

Bag is riveted and wired onto the cantle, laced on the back.

By the way, this is nearly the last time you'll see this particular hide, as popular as it has been with my commissioners I have gone through nearly the entire hide (roughly 70sq ft).
The balance is reserved for one more commission.

As always, constructive commentary or critique is most welcome.

ith:

BTW: unfortunately the original project thread is now locked, but there are new developments in the MacLeay horsehair project which will be coming to light in a new thread in the not-too-distant future as well.

**ShaunMaxwell** · 12th April 13, 05:43 AM

Scott, you continue to outdo yourself! I really love the half octagon cantle... You don't run across many of those. Unique and beautiful!

**Thomas H** · 12th April 13, 06:29 AM

Wonderful work as all ways -- one day , there will be one for me .... one day

**cable scot** · 12th April 13, 06:34 AM

Looks fantastic Scott,I can't wait 'till it gets here to put it in action.

**creagdhubh** · 12th April 13, 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by ShaunMaxwell

Scott, you continue to outdo yourself! I really love the half octagon cantle... You don't run across many of those. Unique an beautiful!

***

**artificer** · 12th April 13, 07:33 AM

Thanks gang!

Originally Posted by ShaunMaxwell

Scott, you continue to outdo yourself! I really love the half octagon cantle... You don't run across many of those. Unique an beautiful!

No, you don't see too many. I was rather taken with the image of an antique one and used it as inspiration.

Originally Posted by Thomas H

Wonderful work as all ways -- one day , there will be one for me .... one day

I'll be here

Originally Posted by cable scot

Looks fantastic Scott,I can't wait 'till it gets here to put it in action.

I'm off to the post in the next hour or so, you should have it my Monday!

Actually this shape's appearance was something of a last minute surprise for me as well. cable scot had just scored an ex-MoD cantle, and luckily I hadn't started shaping brass yet,
so I suggested that, rather than the round shape we'd originally planned for, we go to something to avoid too much 'sameness' between a round custom cantle and a round ex-MoD
cantle, and this shape fit perfectly in the blanks that I'd cut.

ith: