Sporran
Dimensions48 x 28 x 3 cm
Object numberHF.2017.08.01 a-b
DescriptionA sporran (a) - leather pouch with embossed flap, covered in horsehair with two rows of 3 tassels. Tape waistband through a leather casing in back (black grosgrain ribbon 2.3 cm wide x 118 cm). The sporran is capped with silver plate copper and lined with red leather. The top row of tassels hang on a short cord with a bow, the bottom row of tassels hang from the upper tassels with 13 cm cord and bows . Horse hair is 32 cm long, the top tassels are 13.5-14.5 cm long and the bottom tassels are 15-15.5 cm long. The flap (b) is 17 cm x 9 cm bound in silver with "silver" embossed thistle and leaves design. The front is blue velvet and the back is red leather, on the flap there is an emblem held on by 2 safety pins. Narrative
This sporran is thought to have originally belonged to David Stewart who was born 1769 in Ardcheanacrochdon, in Strathgartney near Callender, Scotland. David was a land surveyor and land agent. As early as 1808, David Stewart began purchasing land in Prince Edward Island and by the 1830's, the Stewarts had purchased Lots 7, 10, 12, and 30 as well as parts of Lots 27, 46, and 47. At the time of his death in 1852, David passed along his vast estate of almost 67,000 acres on PEI to his son, Robert, making him the largest resident landholder on PEI.
This sporran was purchased from Donald Currie, a Scotsman and tailor with whose business was in London, England, from the late 1810s to the late 1830s. In 1817 his business address was 6 Sackville Street and by the mid-1820s he was advertising out of 20 Regent Street. This sporran is stamped with Currie's later address. It is unusual for sporrans of this style to be stamped and suggests that it was likely made elsewhere and Currie's label applied at a later date. In 1820, Currie was chairman of the Highland Assembly of London, an organisation for the promotion and preservation of Highland culture. The Highland Society often held social events where members dressed in Highland costume. It is likely that David Stewart was one such member and the sporran was purchased for such occasions.
The thistles and oak leaves present on the front flap are familiar Jacobite symbols as well as references to the Stuart family.
This sporran was purchased from Donald Currie, a Scotsman and tailor with whose business was in London, England, from the late 1810s to the late 1830s. In 1817 his business address was 6 Sackville Street and by the mid-1820s he was advertising out of 20 Regent Street. This sporran is stamped with Currie's later address. It is unusual for sporrans of this style to be stamped and suggests that it was likely made elsewhere and Currie's label applied at a later date. In 1820, Currie was chairman of the Highland Assembly of London, an organisation for the promotion and preservation of Highland culture. The Highland Society often held social events where members dressed in Highland costume. It is likely that David Stewart was one such member and the sporran was purchased for such occasions.
The thistles and oak leaves present on the front flap are familiar Jacobite symbols as well as references to the Stuart family.
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