The most expensive sporrans ever?

**figheadair** · 15th February 11, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by chewse

Peter - I'm curious, what is the approximately weight of these very ornate sporrans? It seems that with metal such as gold and all the jewels, the sporran has got to be fairly heavy.

Actually it's not as heavy as one might suppose but that's partly because of the size. Wish I'd put a tape against it but it's somewhere around 12" x 8" but yes, the weight is at the top.

**creagdhubh** · 15th February 11, 08:18 AM

Very interesting indeed - thanks for sharing!

**MacBean** · 15th February 11, 08:19 AM

I'd not heard of the Duke of Sussex, so looked him up.

Duke of Sussex is a peerage title that was conferred to the sixth son of George III. He was created Duke of Sussex, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Arklow in the Peerage of the United Kingdom on 27 November 1801. Since he died without legitimate issue, the title became extinct.

In 1999, with the marriage of Prince Edward younger son of Queen Elizabeth II, experts had suggested the Dukedom of Sussex or Cambridge as the most likely to be granted to Prince Edward, but he was instead created Earl of Wessex. There has been speculation that Prince William of Wales may be given the title at the time of his April 2011 wedding to Kate Middleton.
Wikipedia

A zoomable image showing the hair sporran and sword in use can be found here:
http://royalcollection.org.uk/egalle...Duke+of+Sussex

So I wonder what tartan is that?

**Chas** · 15th February 11, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

This incredibly ornate sporran is part of the accoutrements for an outfit made for the Duke of Sussex (aka Earl of Inverness) c1805 when he was President of the Highland Society of London.

Leopard fur with gold cantle and semi-precious stones, and an enameled and diamond St. Andrew's Cross.

Goodness knows what it cost then let alone what something like this would be now - not that one could use real leopard fur.

In spite of all the gold and diamonds and semi-precious stones and exotic fur - I still think it is ugly.

The day sporran is far nicer.

Regards

Chas

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 15th February 11, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by MacBean

So I wonder what tartan is that?

I'd assume it to be the Earl of Inverness tartan.

**figheadair** · 15th February 11, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

I'd assume it to be the Earl of Inverness tartan.

I would too and more than likely the kilt and plaid that survives. It's pretty small but look at the sword hilt. It looks somewhat like the one in the picture I posted earlier.

**MacBean** · 15th February 11, 10:03 AM

If you go to the link I posted, on the right there is a zoom feature, so you can view the sword in detail. It seems to be the same sword - which should be interesting to historians at STA.

**figheadair** · 15th February 11, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by MacBean

If you go to the link I posted, on the right there is a zoom feature, so you can view the sword in detail. It seems to be the same sword - which should be interesting to historians at STA.

Well found

It's definitely the sword and Earl of Inverness kilt. He's wearing the second sporran that I posted as well as the dirk and pistols that we have.

**MacBean** · 15th February 11, 10:32 AM

I've edited my post to include the close-up. It must be gratifying to have a portrait of the Duke (or should I call him the Prince?) wearing the items you had in your hands... something know-nothings like me can do to help the experts!

**Charlie Mc.** · 15th February 11, 10:48 AM

In the painting that sword looks very petite for a basket hilt. Any idea of the measurements or weight of the sword? or any chance of photos showing the blade?