Full mask sporrans revisited...

[Nathan]

Nathan, yours is actually an exemplary model (IMO) of a nicely crafted mask. The head is mounted, but not 'realistically 3-D, complete with tongue', the head itself is also relatively small and well balanced against the overall size of the sporran. LOTS of North American animals simply have too big of heads to make elegantly proportioned masks.

ith:

Any day I get a compliment on a DIY sporran by Artificer is a damn fine day indeed.

Edit: Incidentally, the person who sold me the stoles I used to make my sporran said they were kit fox but upon looking at images on the internet, I think it's more likely a weasel of some kind, perhaps a stoat or ermine. The ears are just too small to be a fox. Any furriers want to enlighten me?

[mookien]

While I would likely never don one, I like to see them on other folks, so I hope they don't disappear.

[ASinclair]

It's not my cup of tea, but it is the one sporran appropriate for all occasions. Who the heck does KA think they are? Wear that dead mammal with pride, my friend.

[McClef]

The fur of the fox or the fur of the seal
Are not enough to make me squeal
But the head of a camel or head of a jackal
Is enough to make me want to tackle
Taxidermic sporrans of creatures dead.
A mask is for wearing on the head!

[Mudge]

With the encouragement and inspiration of our own Chainsaw, I recently completed my own version of a Full Mask Beaver sporran.
20140523_081348_zps28cf10a2.jpg

[creagdhubh]

First of all, I voted...well, I'm sure you chaps already know how I voted!

It is my belief that full (animal) mask sporrans are a very traditional aspect of Highland Dress that has been around for quite some time. We have all seen the lovely vintage, black and white photos of Highland men (as well as members of The Royal Family), especially during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, wearing such sporrans from a variety of native animal species. Whereas they are definitely not to everyone's liking or sartorial sensibilities, you cannot deny their rather unique, traditional look when worn with traditional Highland Dress. I'm not so sure this type of sporran would look smart with anything but traditional Highland Dress. As many of you are well aware, I'm an avid wearer of full mask sporrans made in the traditional manner by Kate Macpherson of Beauly, Inverness-shire.

Along with being a professional taxidermist, Kate was taught sporran making by her father, who made sporrans for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Kate has also firmly established an ethical statement for all of her sporrans, regardless of the animal species. No animal is killed for the purpose of sporran making. Many have been accidentally killed by nearby motorists in Inverness-shire, or have died a natural death and are found, then brought to her by local farmers. Kate properly cleans the entire animal, places it in the deep freeze to exterminate any bugs and bacteria, and then begins the taxidermy/sporran making process. The sporrans made from protected species come complete with the appropriate licensure issued by the Scottish Government.

Scottish Pine Marten sporran with a brown leather back and v-gussett, (as opposed to the roomier full gussett) which allows the sporran to lay flatter against the kilt apron in the Scottish Regimental tradition (particularly the Argylls with their badger sporrans).


An array of Kate Macpherson sporrans. My favourites are the full mask sporrans made of either badger, pine marten, mink, or otter (European species). I'm still unsure about fox (red or silver), and I don't really care for anything else.




http://www.katemacphersonsporrans.co.uk/

http://www.katemacphersonsporrans.co...lstatement.htm

Cheers,

[creagdhubh]

Any day I get a compliment on a DIY sporran by Artificer is a damn fine day indeed.

Edit: Incidentally, the person who sold me the stoles I used to make my sporran said they were kit fox but upon looking at images on the internet, I think it's more likely a weasel of some kind, perhaps a stoat or ermine. The ears are just too small to be a fox. Any furriers want to enlighten me?

Indeed! Also, Kate Macpherson has made sporrans out of vintage stoles that commissioners have sent her. Interesting idea.

[creagdhubh]

LOTS of North American animals simply have too big of heads to make elegantly proportioned masks.

ith:

I couldn't agree more. The vast majority of these sporrans are way too big and downright hideous.

[creagdhubh]

Many of my fellow Macpherson cousins in Scotland, to include my Chief, Sir William Alan Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie, TD, wear full mask sporrans made from the pelt of a Scottish Wildcat; the totem and talisman of the Clan Macpherson, as well as many Clan Chattan clans. The Scottish Wildcat (in various forms/positions) is also the heraldic crest of Cluny, Clan Macpherson Chieftains and many Clan Macpherson Armigers. Many, if not all of the wildcat sporrans, have been passed down through the generations.

Cluny wearing his Scottish Wildcat sporran.






Bruce Macpherson of Edinburgh wearing his Scottish wildcat sporran.


John Macpherson of Montrose wearing his Scottish Wildcat sporran.




Allan Macpherson-Fletcher (far right) of Balavil wearing his gorgeous, Scottish Wildcat sporran surmounted with a three ferruled, silver cantle. Apologies, as you can only see the very top part of the sporran.

[Tobus]

What is the year of print on that K-A book?

As Kyle rightly points out (he's so good at that!), there's plenty of proof in the proverbial pudding that full-mask sporrans are still very much in use in Scotland, and worn by many a distinguished fellow. It's possible that the writers at K-A were injecting personal opinions into their advertisements. And even if they truly believed this to be the case, they should be flogged for the poor business decision of advertising a product but telling people it's not a good idea to buy it.

Personally, I like full-mask sporrans when done tastefully. I approach them about the same as Scott, in terms of taste. I'm very picky about the shape and size of them. I've been trying to get one made (from various hides I have), but keep striking out for various reasons. But even if I didn't personally like them, it would still be on stylistic grounds, not based on any sort of anti-fur sentiment. I guess I'm not "civilised" enough to oppose using fur, as long as it's responsible and humane.