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LOT 118
Attractive Late 19th Century Ornately Relief Carved “Cleo de Merode”/ Nude Cane - After centuries of steady growth, canes reached the zenith of
their popularity in Europe and North America around the end of the 19th century, becoming a symbol of status, wealth, and sophistication. This piece
is a prime example of what would have been carried by a member of the most affluent social strata given the materials used and the level of workmanship. It is theorized that the figure of the woman carved in the grip of this cane is meant to represent Cleo de Merode, a famous late 19th century ballet dancer who is often noted as the first real celebrity icon. There is a relief carved floral band 5 1/2 inches below the grip which has the word “CLEO” intertwined in the vines. The woman portrayed on the grip wears a floral crown and a long draped shroud with her eyes closed and hands folded, but otherwise appears to be nude. The previously mentioned book notes that the carving on the grip of this cane bear a striking resemblance
to a bronze titled “Standing Nymph” by de Lagrange, as well as another by Pierre Felix Fix-Masseau named “Le Secret”. Regardless of who the carving represents specifically, the quality of the workmanship is without
question, showing detail down to the floral pattern of the trim on the shroud. The shaft is of smooth antique ivory, apart from the previously mentioned carved floral band, and tipped with a brass and iron ferrule. It measures
34 1/2 inches overall. CONDITION:
Exceptionally fine, showing a very attractive, lightly aged tone overall with only the slightest handling marks on the grip portion and some scattered hairline age cracks and light handling marks on the shaft. The shaft tip has a dark aged patina. An incredible piece of exhibition quality art! Provenance: The Larry Mattson Collection. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 121
Ornately Relief Carved Putti/Cherubim Playing in a Tree Cane - Commonly
known as “cherubs”, “putti” made a resurgence
in European art during the Renaissance period after having virtually disappeared
during the Medieval period. This resurgence coincided with a shift in the purpose of
walking canes, which began to take on more of the role as a status symbol rather than a mobility aid. The carrying of a cane and the cane itself both became art forms, falling in line with an era that has become known as a golden age of the arts. Likely a product of the Age of Enlightenment, this cane beautifully displays some of the Renaissance art that carried over into the following period that swept over Europe. The small grip on this cane is masterfully relief carved in the form of two putti playing in a tree full of elegantly incorporated floral and scrollwork. The later replacement shaft is of smooth hardwood and tipped with a brass and steel ferrule. It measures 38 1/4 inches overall.
CONDITION: Fine, the grip showing an attractively aged tone with some scattered hairline age cracks and otherwise minimal handling evidence and crisp checkering. The later replacement shaft is also fine with only the slightest handling marks
Provenance: Laurence Jantzen, Le Louvre des Antiquaires, Paris; The Larry Mattson Collection.
Estimate: 1,100 - 1,600
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LOT 119
Desirable Late 18th Century French
Relief Carved Incroyable “Executive Power” Cane - Lasting from approximately September 1793 to July of 1794 and led by the figurehead Maximilien Robespierre, the “Reign of Terror” period of the First French Republic left at least 45,000 people dead. Most of those killed were executed by guillotine, and many of which had been members of the affluent upper echelons of French society. After Robespierre met his fate at the guillotine, the high society of France let out a collective sigh of relief, from which was born the “Incroyable”. The Incroyables, as they were known, were marked by their lavish, over the top, almost comic dress and lavish parties, in reaction to the prior period of hiding ones wealth and status. The grip of this cane is wonderfully relief carved in the form of a bust of an Incroyable, with his comically large bicorne hat, bowtie, and monocle. The grip is joined
to the shaft with a gilt brass band with floral motifs. The shaft is of a spiral knobbed/burled root wood, the type of which is noted as
used for canes carried by Incroyables during the period, who called the canes/bludgeons their “executive power”. The shaft is tipped with a copper and iron ferrule. It measures 35 1/2 inches overall.
CONDITION: Very fine overall, the grip showing finely detailed carving, a few hairline age cracks, minimal handling evidence on the shaft, and attractively
aged patina on the ferrule.
Provenance: Laurence Jantzen, Le Louvre des Antiquaires, Paris; The Larry Mattson Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 120
Attractive Brigg Retailer Marked Relief Carved “Birth of Venus” Cane - Steadily growing in popularity starting around the 16th century, canes reached the pinnacle of their popularity 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. The Victorian era saw a resurgence in the popularity of themes from classical mythology and the grip of this cane is a prime example of
that. The grip of this specific example is primarily smooth antique ivory with a spherical knob grip portion and a lanyard hole. Attached to the grip, and of the same material, is a masterfully relief carved representation of the “Birth of Venus”, showing many similarities to the work of that name by William- Adolphe Bouguereau. Venus is depicted partially nude and standing in a graceful, flowing pose, with a shroud partially wrapped around her. The grip is joined to the smooth Malacca shaft with a woven leather band. “BRIGG” is marked on the shaft near the leather band, representing a highly respected London retailer. The shaft
is tipped with horn. It measures 38 inches overall.
CONDITION: Very good, the grip generally showing
an attractively aged
tone with a few hairline age cracks at the top
and a few scattered
small, discreet repairs on the figure of Venus along with a few hairline cracks. The shaft is also very good with some scattered minor handling marks. Provenance: The Larry Mattson Collection. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750