Conservation of antique pieces is very delicate work, with the focus being safe restoration, rather than making the piece look new again. Care must be taken to maintain the integrity and history of the article, with careful cleaning, and repairs performed on the basis of necessity. The same premise applies to items which may not be sensitive with age, but sentimental to the owner. 

Sporran 1:  BEFORE

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Full Front: horsehair was dirty & knotted, and cantle-piece very grimy.
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Cantle-piece needed cleaning, and gunk had collected above tassel chains.
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Back pouch was damaged in several places, including ripped belt loop and pouch fastener.

Sporran 1:  AFTER

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Horsehair was shampooed, conditioned & combed; cantle-piece was cleaned & lightly polished.
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All aspects of Cantle-piece were cleaned & carefully polished.
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Back pouch was repaired & cleaned.

Sporran 2: BEFORE

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Front: Horsehair is dirty, smelly & tangled. Cantle-piece is broken in 15 places, and sporran belt is beyond repair.
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Back: pouch is shabby & missing stitching in several areas, including belt loop.

Sporran 2: AFTER

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Horsehair has been shampooed, conditioned, and combed through; Cantle-piece restored.
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Pouch has been cleaned & stitching has repaired damaged areas.

Sporran 2: BEFORE

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Cantle-piece: original pewter casting is dull & broken in 15 places & only barely hanging on to backing.
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When decorative cantle-piece was removed, the extent of dirt & mould underneath became apparent.

New Sporran Belt  replaces original

Sporran 2: AFTER

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Cantle-piece: was carefully removed from backing, breaks were repaired, cleaned, polished & re-attached.
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Leather backing was cleaned & polished, before cantle-piece was re-instated.

Suspender Belt made to attach to new belt

Sporran 3: Front

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No repairs necessary to front.

Back: BEFORE

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Back view: broken belt loop is visible.
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Close-up: belt loop is un-usable.

Back: AFTER

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Back view: cleaned & polished pouch; belt loop replaced.
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Close-up: original belt loop has been removed & replaced.

Dirk:  BEFORE

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Front view shows missing scabbard-tip, and overall wear & t. Top hilt stone was missing & replaced before this photo was taken.
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Back view shows overall damage & discolouration of scabbard, strap, and blade.
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Existing Dirk strap was weak and damaged, with crude attachment to scabbard.

Dirk:  AFTER

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New scabbard-tip formed and secured to replace missing original piece, as was new hilt-stone (cut & set ). Entire piece cleaned and polished.
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Back view shows clean-up, new silver scabbard-tip, and new dirk strap with attachment to scabbard.
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Sturdy new Dirk strap & attachment made to replace the existing set-up.
Warhorse Studios, Creating Handmade Jewellery and Accessories, with Delicate Metals and Special Stones. Custom work and Artefact Conservation, by request.