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LOT 3124
Desirable Relief Carved Double Horse Head Cane with Gilt Band - From around the 16th century onwards, canes steadily grew in popularity into the early 20th century. They became a more than just a fashion accessory or mobility tool, but a symbol of one’s wealth and power. This popularity as an affluent accessory reached its zenith around the same time as that of horse racing, often dubbed, “the sport of kings”. It is unsurprising therefore, that many canes are found associated with the sport. This piece appears to represent the sport; the grip either being carved to represent a pair of horse’s heads belonging to a wealthy owner, or a pair of horses neck and neck during a race. Both of the horses show expressions associated with strenuous activity and are fitted with glass eyes. The grip is joined to the shaft by an engraved gilt band. The shaft is smooth ebony and is tipped with a German silver and iron ferrule. It measures 34 1/2 inches overall. CONDITION: Fine, the grip showing an attractively aged tone with a few hairline age cracks scattered throughout. The gilt band
is bright. The shaft is very good with some scattered light handling marks and a dark patina on the iron.
Provenance: The TTT Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3125
Attractive Relief Carved Boar Head Cane with Silvered Band - Popular since the time of the Ancient Greeks and Romans, boar hunting is seen throughout history as a popular sport and pastime, particularly among the wealthy and elite of many different civilizations around the globe. Due to their aggressive nature, thick hide, and substantial bone structure, boars have been seen as a highly respected foe, particularly before the introduction of firearms when a spear was often the weapon of choice. The popularity of boar hunting continued into the heyday of the cane as a status symbol, making it unsurprising that the two overlapped. The grip of this cane has been masterfully carved in the form of the long haired boar, with very detailed hair, long tusks, and glass eyes. The grip is joined to the shaft with a floral patterned silvered band. The shaft is of smooth Malacca and is tipped with light colored horn. It measures 34 3/4 inches overall. CONDITION: Fine, the grip showing an attractively aged tone, some hairline age cracks, and a few light chips absent from the ears (ears also intentionally notched). The silver shows an attractively aged patina, some light crazing and handling marks on the shaft, and mild uneven wear on the tip.
Provenance: Laurence Jantzen, Le Louvre des Antiquaires, Paris; The Larry Mattson Collection. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3126
Unique 17th Century Style Relief Carved “Gargoyle Man” Cane - Reaching the peak of their popularity in the late 19th century, canes had been popular for centuries, evolving during the Renaissance into more of a status symbol than a mobility aid. This example was likely made towards the end of the French Renaissance in the 17th century, showing a somewhat simpler style to the elaborate works of art seen in the late 19th century. The grip on this example has been relief carved in the form of a distressed
or enraged man’s face, reminiscent
of gargoyle figures often carved on gothic buildings of the period. The face is fitted with glass eyes. There is
a small step down of the shaft below the grip which once had been fitted for a band (now absent), or was simply intended for decoration. The shaft
is smooth malacca and has a large nickeled tip. It measures
38 1/2 inches overall.
CONDITION: Very good, the grip shows an attractively aged tone with a few hairline age cracks and some scattered light handling marks. The shaft has some scattered light handling marks and the tip is mostly bright. Provenance: Laurence Jantzen, Le Louvre des Antiquaires, Paris; The Larry Mattson Collection.
Estimate: 1,100 - 1,600
LOT 3127
Attractively Relief Carved Mother Holding Son’s Hand Cane/Riding Crop with Inscribed Gold Band - The 19th century saw canes and walking sticks
reach the peak of their popularity, making them an incredibly popular gift among
the affluent for almost any occasion. This example has a gold band just below the
grip inscribed in French, “a mon cher Fils.” or “to my dear Son.” indicating that this piece was a gift from a parent to a son. The grip is carved in the form of two hands clasping, the upper had appearing to be clad in women’s clothing at the wrist, while the lower hand is slightly smaller, indicating that this was likely a gift from a mother to a son. There is floral carving both at the top and a bottom of the wrists. The previously mentioned gold band joins the grip to a slender malacca shaft that is tipped with iron. Due to the slender nature of this stick, it was likely either intended for a very young man or to be
used as a riding crop/ stick. It measures 33 1/2 inches overall. CONDITION:
Very good, the
grip showing an attractively aged
tone with a few faint hairline age cracks and light handling marks.
The shaft shows a minor warp with some hairline age cracks, light handling marks, and mild oxidation on the iron tip. Provenance:
C. Dike Collection; Patrick Gutknecht, Geneva; The Larry Mattson Collection. Estimate: 900 - 1,400
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