This excellent early 18th century
style shot bag is donated by Darrel Lang. This bag is of a style that
would come from a professional leather worker, perhaps a shoemaker or harness
maker raising a little extra cash. It is totally hand sewn, each and every
piece, using veg. tanned leather, waxed linen thread, and hand dying. The
precise hand stitching is itself a decorative element. Darrel finishes
each bag with neat’s-foot oil and bee’s wax, giving that rich warm
finish. Hand forged iron hardware completes this fine bag.
(Written by: Heinz Ahlers)
Eighteenth century artisans, while
experts in their respective trades, were nonetheless known to regularly broaden
the scope of their business operations.
It’s a practice that’s quite familiar to their 21st century
counterparts. One fine addition to the
2016 CLA fundraising auction bears mute testament to the age-old custom of
artistic diversification: a straightforward shot bag by Michigan craftsman
Darrel Lang.
“When
I make a shot bag,” explains Lang, “I try and produce something that a harness
maker or cobbler of the colonies might have made on the side to make a little
extra money.” Lang’s creations
consequently reflect the crisp artistry of early America’s professional leather
workers. This handsome shot bag is
appropriate for today’s reenactor, but is likewise ready for the demanding
conditions of the hunt. “I keep my bags
simple in design,” says the artist, “but make sure that construction of the bag
will hold up under use in the field and in the woods.”
Lang’s
exacting craftsmanship ensures that the fortunate owner of this bag can
confidently go afield with a fine piece of art.
Deftly crafted from vegetable tanned cow hide, the bag is entirely hand
sewn, hand dyed, and then carefully protected with neatsfoot oil and
beeswax. The rig is closed with simple
brass button, and the bag’s strap is fully adjustable by means of a hand forged
iron buckle.
All
in all, this shot bag is a well built reflection of Darrel Lang’s no-nonsense
creative ethos. “I want people to use
them,” he says, “as they would have been used in the 18th century,
not just to hang on the wall.”
(Written by: Joshua Shepherd)
