clunk, clunk, clunk

**Kiltman** · 31st March 05, 03:46 PM

I make sporrans, just for fun. I’m still trying to figure out what purpose tassels serve. Some sporrans come with five or more. In the older examples I’ve seen they have a purpose, like closing the bag of the sporran. They sure are decorative, but if they bug you, get rid of them.

**An t-Ileach** · 29th August 05, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Kiltman

...I’m still trying to figure out what purpose tassels serve. Some sporrans come with five or more. In the older examples I’ve seen they have a purpose, like closing the bag of the sporran...

I think that the tassles were the draw strings from the little pouch bags that were used to separate coins from oat cakes or whatever, and were left hanging outside for ease of access. Presumably the wearer knew which draw strings were which, so he wouldn't offer a part eaten biscuit instead of a coin.

I don't know why there's developed this fad for bloody great leather knots on the end of the decorative tassles - probably it has derived from the Sporran, Highland Units, Number 2, Day. If my theory is correct, then small knots, of bits of bone, etc would be more appropriate - and longer thinner tassles... and less noise.