Irish Leather Belt Pouch

Spacious Irish Leather Belt Pouch with Tassels and Knot

Historical Context and Usage in the British Isles

At the end of the 17th century, a period of turbulent changes in the British Isles, such spacious pouches (often predecessors to the later Scottish sporrans) were an absolutely essential part of clothing. Trouser pockets back then were nowhere near as common and voluminous as they are today. The Irish, Scots, and other country dwellers needed reliable baggage that they kept with them at all times. The pouch was worn suspended from the belt on the hip or in the front and served to store everything needed for daily survival – from coins and gunpowder to tobacco, a pipe, and food. The characteristic gathering of fine leather allowed the pouch to stretch significantly and accommodate a surprising amount of items.

Construction and Proper Fastening

The back part and the sturdy flap are made of solid cowhide leather, which holds its shape excellently and protects the contents from damage. The flap is additionally decorated around the edge with elegant whipstitching using a flat leather thong. The front panel is made of soft, pliable, and effectively gathered leather. You can easily thread the pouch directly onto your belt using the wide, firmly attached rear loop. You first safely draw the interior space closed using a leather string, which ends in massive, hand-cut tassels. Subsequently, you cover the opening with the flap, which fastens onto an elaborate leather button in the shape of a traditional Irish knot. Thanks to this double security, you are guaranteed not to lose anything from your pouch whilst running or fighting.

Care for Natural Leather and Safety Warnings

This product is hand-crafted from genuine leather. It is a purely natural material, in which minor variations in colour and surface texture are a natural characteristic. These minor imperfections make every single piece completely unique. To ensure the leather remains supple for a long time and does not crack, we highly recommend treating it regularly with a high-quality leather balsam containing beeswax. If your pouch gets soaked in the rain, always let it dry naturally at room temperature. Never dry the leather near an open fire, on a hot radiator, or in the glaring sun, otherwise it will irreversibly harden, wrinkle, and be destroyed. To ensure the safety of your belongings, we do not recommend carrying sharp, unprotected objects in the pouch (such as knife blades without a sheath), which could slice through the soft front panel from the inside.

To go with this beautiful pouch, we recommend acquiring a wide historical leather belt with a brass buckle and a traditional linen tunic, thereby creating an authentic and functional foundation for your islander costume.

Technical Specifications of the Irish Pouch