interesting Eagle sporran

**Tobus** · 20th June 18, 06:09 AM

Originally Posted by RodF

I suspect a craftsman in Scotland may have been asked for a description and the person who had it made provided

An American Eagle, wings spread, facing forward clutching a Union Shield in its talons....

Also, there are numerous historic examples of the American Union Eagle facing to the viewers left and the viewers right. That is different than the Seal of the United States and the way it was adopted with its facings.

I'm not sure why everyone is fixated on this eagle having anything to do with the United States. The item is in England. It seems (to me, at least) unlikely that it was made in Scotland for an American and then somehow ended up back over there in the UK. The only thing vaguely American about it is that it has an eagle, but Americans aren't the only ones who use an eagle. Almost every country has some sort of symbol like that.

When we look at the motif of the design, we see thistles, an eagle, and a shield with what appear to be heraldic symbols in it. I have never delved into heraldic devices, so perhaps those with a better understanding of the symbology may have something to offer. The shield-shaped area that the eagle is sitting on does seem to be patterned in the "lozengy" style, with some sort of symbols repeating in each diamond*. This has to mean something important, to take up that much room on the cantle. It is most definitely not the seal of the United States.

*edited to add: a quick Google search shows that those symbols represent ermine, an important symbol in heraldry. This points us more conclusively to this being a heraldic design, and having nothing to do with the United States.

**RodF** · 20th June 18, 06:45 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I'm not sure why everyone is fixated on this eagle having anything to do with the United States. The item is in England. It seems (to me, at least) unlikely that it was made in Scotland for an American and then somehow ended up back over there in the UK. The only thing vaguely American about it is that it has an eagle, but Americans aren't the only ones who use an eagle. Almost every country has some sort of symbol like that.

When we look at the motif of the design, we see thistles, an eagle, and a shield with what appear to be heraldic symbols in it. I have never delved into heraldic devices, so perhaps those with a better understanding of the symbology may have something to offer. The shield-shaped area that the eagle is sitting on does seem to be patterned in the "lozengy" style, with some sort of symbols repeating in each diamond*. This has to mean something important, to take up that much room on the cantle. It is most definitely not the seal of the United States.

*edited to add: a quick Google search shows that those symbols represent ermine, an important symbol in heraldry. This points us more conclusively to this being a heraldic design, and having nothing to do with the United States.

Totally agree Tobus that this could be something completely different and not related to the USA at all. Good point about the lozengy/ermine representation as well.

**MacCathmhaoil** · 20th June 18, 07:53 AM

The eagle may appear similar to American depictions of the same era perhaps, but the pattern on the shield makes me think that's about where it ends! The pattern gives the impression of a more European flavour than American. As well were it an American eagle I'd expect it to be clutching a scroll or a sheaf of arrows, not alit on the shield border. I think this is in all likelihood a Scottish made sporran that was made for a Scottish client, can't really see anything to make me think otherwise.
There was a lot of unassayed sterling silver that was produced in Victorian/Edwardian Scotland so silver without hallmarks is not uncommon. That being said, any jeweller or reputable dealer is capable of doing an acid test to verify silver content.
His prices are a bit unrealistic, many times what I think may be reasonable.