1896 Sporran refresh

[figheadair]

In the post by Kilted Redleg entitled "Pipers of old" there is a link to a House of Labhran page of old photographs. In the fifth row of photographs and on the right side there is picture of a gentleman wearing a remarkably similar sporran, although it is difficult to make out all of the details. Perhaps not provenance, but the style is similar.

Cheers,
David

It's broadly similar although it's more likely that it's a brass cantle rather than silver.

[Garth]

Wow. Any cantles like this up for grabs anywhere?

Thanks

[figheadair]

Wow. Any cantles like this up for grabs anywhere?

They do come up at auction, occasionally. When they do and depending on the material and the age, they can be quite expensive. A better route can be to look for a complete but distressed one where the bag can be replaced.

[David Dubh]

Absolutely stunning
What a beautiful piece

[figheadair]

Thought I'd give it an airing whilst working from home today.

[Crazy Dave]

Yet another incredibly beautiful object of desire that I'll never be able to afford! Still, I very much appreciate being able to enjoy it vicariously!

Dave

[McMurdo]

Thought I'd give it an airing whilst working from home today.

Peter, that looks great well done again.

[figheadair]

This is Sir Harry Lauder in his similar sporran
Attachment 38624

This sporran was also with an Inverness silver cantle and similar pouch with a few variations.
Attachment 38625

Were these other two made by Ferguson and MacBean too?

[figheadair]

The Sir Harry Lauder sporran - The sporran, which was made by the Inverness silversmiths Ferguson & MacBean in 1890, was later purchased by Canadian Senator Archie Johnstone, who bought it from an antiques dealer in Ayr, to add to his collection of Harry Lauder memorabilia in the mid-1970s.

The second sporran.

INVERNESS - A SCOTTISH PROVINCIAL SPORRAN
FERGUSON & MCBEAN
marked F&M, camel, INVs, the tooled leather bag with Celtic interlace and studded 'targe' to centre, with three leather tassels , set with engraved silver hinged cantle with Celtic knotwork and plain cartouche
Cantle, 17.5cm wide

Hope that helps.

House of Labhran - Scotland

Very interesting, thanks. So out of the same stable as mine, similar in style and probably all bespoke.


I'd like to know whether the Stag's Head, which is on both the Lauder and my sporran, has any significance beyond the obvious MacKenzie connotation which may be completely irrelevant in these cases. I'd also be fascinated to know for whom mine was made for but I doubt I ever will.

[M A N N A]

Has anyone got any recommendation of where I can buy a square top cantle for a pheasant sporran?
And why is it so hard to find cantles?