1680 Picture questions.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I stated in the OP that O'Neill was portraying an Irish lord of a century earlier. By the late 17th century the Irish aristocracy had adopted English fashions.

Interesting that you reckon it is a 'purse'...what is the significant difference between a purse hanging from his belt and a sporran doing the same?

Interesting as well about the dart and its significance as an 'Irish' weapon...not something that would be widely known today...

When we think of a sporran (today) we think of a general purpose pouch used to hold a variety of stuff -- money, car keys, cell phone. In the 17th century it would have still held "stuff" but more likely coins, dried food items, etc. Now "sporran" does mean purse in Gaelic, but the kind of purse I'm referring to is a more specialized item. These are larger than the usual sporran, generally more elaborately decorated, and usually intended to carry a specific item, rather than a jumble of things. For example, many heraldic seals were kept in special purses, as were badges of high office.

To some the triangular shape of the "flap" worn by O'Neill is more suggestive of a purse of special purpose, rather than an all purpose sporran. But, as I've said previously, no one seems to be 100% "in the know" as to what this really is.

My personal take on this has always been that it is probably an embroidered apron, part of the trews, and intended to cover the fly where the left and right front cross over at the waist. In this regard they would be similar to the trews known to have been worn by James V in the late 1530s. -- But again, that is mere speculation on my part.