Rare Scottish Targe Auction - Really?

**figheadair** · 17th February 13, 11:12 AM

Someone sent me this link for comment about a supposed C18th Targe.

It's not my area of expertise per se but something doesn't ring true and a suspect a later copy and I'm not convinced that the seller knows what they are talking about? Boar's skin! I don't think so.... looks like deer hide to me.

The tartan is Cameron of Erracht and so cannot be earlier than 1793 unless everything we know about it is wrong. The cloth was woven with single spun yarn and may be naturally dyed but that's difficult to tell from a picture.

Thoughts?

**Tartan Tess** · 17th February 13, 11:24 AM

The auction has concluded. It went for 2,439.50.....is that in British Pounds? wow!
I think the "bristles" on the hide are too close for a boar.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 17th February 13, 12:29 PM

I was at the auction and it looked "right as rain" to me, although I wasn't too convinced about the spike. I have seen very few targes that were in 100% original condition, so wasn't put off by the tartan backing as it looked to be a late Victorian addition. Anyhow, I dropped out of the bidding at around the $2000 mark and the eventual buyer, in my estimation, did okay.

There's always a good selection of Scottish arms and armour at the Baltimore Antique Arms Show every March, and it is well worth checking out.

**Woodsheal** · 19th February 13, 12:32 PM

Mac,
That is the only hair-on-the-front original targe I've ever seen. Are you aware of any others? I agree that the back-side tartan and deer skin straps are later additions, as is the center spike, most likely....

**TheOfficialBren** · 19th February 13, 12:37 PM

I am by no means an expert but I noticed that the corrosion on the tacks holding the tartan in place is consistant with the corrotion matching the tacks on the front of the targe.

I do not doubt that it is an antique but my inexperienced guess is that it is mid-Victorian entirely.

**Woodsheal** · 20th February 13, 07:46 AM

Well, this is interesting. I received an email last night from a friend in Canada who is a targe expert. He has done extensive research on extant targes in Scotland and elsewhere (including x-raying them to study construction methods), and occasionally reproduces absolutely correct reproductions. Anyways, here's a short excerpt from his letter:

"I was doing my usual poke about on the net for targaid, and saw the two threads about "original" targes on the XMarks web site. The most recent thread about the one sold at auction, and the thread that you started. I'm afraid that the poor bugger what bought the one at auction got taken in a BIG way! And the one you posted is recent too. The auction targe was more than likely made in the 1920s. The Royal Ontario Museum has two in it's collection similar in construction, both made in the 1920s and acquired I believe about the same time...."

**artificer** · 20th February 13, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

Well, this is interesting. I received an email last night from a friend in Canada who is a targe expert. He has done extensive research on extant targes in Scotland and elsewhere (including x-raying them to study construction methods), and occasionally reproduces absolutely correct reproductions. Anyways, here's a short excerpt from his letter:

"I was doing my usual poke about on the net for targaid, and saw the two threads about "original" targes on the XMarks web site. The most recent thread about the one sold at auction, and the thread that you started. I'm afraid that the poor bugger what bought the one at auction got taken in a BIG way! And the one you posted is recent too. The auction targe was more than likely made in the 1920s. The Royal Ontario Museum has two in it's collection similar in construction, both made in the 1920s and acquired I believe about the same time...."

Fascinating! does he go any further into detail as to why it appears fake? I'd love to learn more.

ith: