Highland Dress Accessories, 19th century and later

comprising a late Victorian silver mounted horsehair sporran, makers mark PW, Edinburgh, 1897, the cantle engraved and applied with the crests and mottos for Forbes Hepburn Stuart Trefusis, a silver mounted mink and leather sporran, the face with glass eyes and applied with acorn pendants, late 19th century, a belt with a silver metal clasp engraved with thistles, a dirk, R and HR Kirkwood, Edinburgh, the hilt with a facet cut cairngorm and craved ebony and chased foliate and thistle mounts, a silvered metal kilt-pin by Jamieson of Edinburgh for the Barons Clinton and a silvered metal plaid bar brooch with a hollow cast paw to each end and safety chain (6)

Nice quality. Horsehair stained and discoloured but in fair condition, one black horsehair tassel detached. Traces of a tar like substance. Minor losses throughout. Rivett lacking to silver clasp. Blade of dirk with some tarnishing/rust needs re-conditioning. A good lot that would benefit from gentle cleaning/consolidation.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Sir Walter Scott organised a great pageant for George IV spectacular state visit to Edinburgh in August 1822, the first of a reigning monarch in nearly two centuries. Scott, a friend of Sir William, 7th Bt., persuaded the King to swathe himself in 'the Garb of Old Gaul', a lavish tartan ensemble with accessories. It is highly likely that Sir William was at this pageant.

Interestingly the year before, in the March of 1821, Sir William placed an extensive order with Robert Patterson, 'Saddler and Accoutrement Maker', for highland accessories and for an order for a 'tartan kilt' with James Cameron. The bill dated the 12th of March from Patterson of 37 Princes Street included 'A fine badger skin highland purse with badgers face & black bearskin tassels hung with silk chord / solid silver covers furnished with cairn gorum stones [sic] lined with red turkey leather and with phamacy [?] £4-2-0 and a patetntn [sic] belt with plated buckle £0-2-0', NLS (Acc.4786/193). The aristocracy were keen to equip themselves with the best Highland dress, at a time when it was becoming not only extremely fashionable but an important way of expressing Scottish lineage and history, something no doubt recognised by both Scott, the King and others including Sir William Forbes. A Forbes family tradition continued by the Laird at Fettercairn, Baron Clinton at the end of the 19th century with the acquisition of this sporran and the following lot.