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LOT 1140
Unique and Desirable Hidden Opera Glass/Telescope Cane - Beginning in approximately the 16th century, canes gradually became more popular among
the upper echelons of society, reaching
its pinnacle around the late-19th to early- 20th centuries, around the same time that opera reached its peak popularity. They became far more than just an accessory
to assist with mobility, but also a symbol
of ones status and wealth, and in some cases contained a secondary purpose, like this example. The grip of this example is made of brass and contains a swiveling opera glass/low power telescope. It can be accessed by pushing the containing ring and swivel arms upward and unscrewing the knob shaped grip cap. It is fitted to a thick, smooth hardwood shaft that is tipped with brass and hard rubber.
CONDITION: Very fine, the brass showing an attractive, lightly aged patina overall and the optics of the opera glass clear. The shaft shows some light wear and scattered handling marks, as well as some dark speckling near the bottom.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 1141
Unique Antique Relief Carved Bust Cane with Gold Band - Popular for centuries beginning in the 1500s, canes reached the pinnacle of their popularity among western cultures, particularly in Western Europe and North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. This particular example would have been quite the status symbol for anyone that carried it, given that nearly the entire piece
is made up of carved antique ivory. The
grip has been expertly carved into a bust
of an unknown man. The grip and shaft are separated by a gold band engraved “E.M.S.” and there is a lanyard hole in the shaft further down with gold bolsters. The shaft is of smooth antique ivory and is tipped with brass. It measures 36 1/2 inches overall.
CONDITION: Very fine, the grip and shaft showing an attractively aged tone overall with a few scattered hairline cracks and a minor warp to the shaft, gold mostly bright, and the brass attractively aged.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1142
Attractive Antique Carved Spherical Grip Cane - In the 19th century and early 20th century, canes began a very popular symbol of social and economic status, as well as sophistication. This cane is an excellent example of that elegant sophistication, with the grip having been carved into an ornate spherical knob. The grip is joined to the shaft with a smooth nickeled band. The smooth shaft is of Malacca showing a burl like grain/ finish and it is tipped with antique ivory. It measures 36 1/2 inches overall.
CONDITION: Fine, the grip shows an attractively aged tone with a few hairline age cracks, some scattered light dings, and a couple black enamel/ink marks. The shaft is also fine with some scattered light handling marks and patches of flaking varnish. Estimate: 1,000 - 1,600
LOT 1143
Attractive Antique Relief
Carved Grapes Cane with
Inscribed Silver Band - Canes steadily
grew in popularity starting around the 16th century, reaching their peak amongst the upper classes of society around the late-19th and early-20th centuries. They became more than just an accessory, but rather a symbol of ones status and wealth, making them an ideal Christmas gift during the period. The two-piece L-shaped grip is relief carved with bunches
of grapes, vines, and leaves on the front face. The grip is joined to the shaft with a silver band engraved with “Newell Cole/Dec. 25. ‘94”, which has a stamped knotted rope, “STERLING” marking, and a “WD/C” in a triangle maker’s mark for William Demuth & Co. The shaft is a smooth hardwood tipped with German silver. It measures 39 1/4 inches
overall.
CONDITION: Very fine, the
grip having a few hairline
age cracks, a few minor
chips, and an attractively
aged tone. The silver
shows an attractively
aged patina. The shaft
is fine with some glue
residue/filler, light
crazing, some scattered
light handling marks,
and a minor crack in the
German silver tip.
Estimate: 1,100 - 1,800
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