1860s sporrans: Highlanders of Scotland

[OC Richard]

I finally got round today to this little project: taking a detailed look at the sporrans seen in The Highlanders of Scotland.

I've not used all: some are duplicates, some are somewhat hidden.

Nearly all are long hair, probably goat hair. The exceptions will be shown at the end.

I thought I should sort them in some manner, and I've gone with cantle design.

First are sporrans with plain leather cantles. These serve the function of 20th century "day" sporrans, being usually associated with tweed "day" jackets.







These are exceptions to the norm, being short hair. They're the closest thing to our small 20th century pouchlike sporrans to be seen in The Highlanders of Scotland.

[OC Richard]

Next are sporrans with narrow metal rims.





I can't tell if this one has a metal or leather rim:



Next are sporrans with pierced metal cantles with leather inserts, first in brown leather:

[OC Richard]

and pierced metal cantles with black leather inserts. There are several more of these pentagonal metal cantles to be seen in the book; these are representative of what was a popular style:




Next are sporrans with all-metal cantles, sometimes with a leather gasket or liner:







In this one the liner extends down and creates a backing for a badge:

[OC Richard]

More all-metal cantles:

[OC Richard]

Next are the fascinating animal mask sporrans:






Last but not least are unique appearances. This one harkens back to the early 19th century:



And this is a style quite antique in 1868; is it a new reproduction or an 18th century original?

[artificer]

I fell in love with all of these the first time I saw them. I just love some of the cantle shapes that probably haven't been made since around the time these were painted.




These two in particular are on my "OMG I have to make these" list.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I find the mask/hair sporran combination to be an interesting one. It would be nice to see someone recreate that today.

[OC Richard]

For those thinking that MacLeay was an absinthe-addled abstract expressionist, let's compare his renderings with surviving cantles:







And here is a selection of Victorian cantles:

[saxandpipes]

Thanks so much for posting these.

I'm currently designing my own sporran, and this is very inspiring!


Cheers!

Michael

[creagdhubh]

Thanks for posting these magnificient specimens Richard, they are all truly works of art! I love these style of sporrans - both the Victorian style horse and goat hair sporrans with simple to elaborate cantles and cones, to the rustic look of the animal mask sporrans.

I have noticed that the long (around 18" in length) goat hair sporrans have a much better look than their horse hair counterparts - a more, 'wavy/flowing' look to them, versus the 'straightness' or rigidity of horse hair. Kate Macpherson of Perthshire makes Victorian style sporrans in goat or horse hair with simple silver or brass cantles and cones. Of course, you could supply her with your own cantle and cones (if you wanted tassels, as you can see from MacLeay's sitters above, some Highlander's sporrans were tasselless) and she would simply add your choice of goat hair colour.

I am curious if there are other places out there that produce traditional goat hair sporrans? I am speaking of the longer hair versions, not the short, stout versions that are about half the length (sometimess less) of an 18" Victorian style goat hair sporran. I am very keen on having a goat hair sporran made to be used with my Highland evening attire. Kate Macpherson in Pethshire, Scotland is naturally my first choice of sporran maker, but I am indeed curious if there are other Scottish-based firms, or companies out there.

White Chinese goat hair sporran with plain silver cantle, by Kate Macpherson.


White Chinese goat hair sporran with thistle embossed cantle, by Kate Macpherson.


***Notice the rather smart Macpherson Hunting tartan with each sporran - very nice!

Thanks again Richard!

Cheers,