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LOT 3137
Attractive Relief Carved Hound Head Cane with Sterling Silver Band - Starting
in the 16th century, canes and walking sticks became extremely popular, first among royalty and nobility, and by the 19th and
20th centuries having worked their way down to the middle classes as a symbol of status. Being most popular among the upper echelons of society, popular motifs for canes often featured prized and valuable horses
or hunting dogs, such as this example. The slightly “L” shaped, antique ivory handle is masterfully relief carved in the shape of a snarling hound’s head with glass eyes. The handle is joined to the shaft with a wide silver band stylized as the hounds collar which
is “STERLING” hallmarked. The varnished hardwood shaft is smooth, appears to be ebony, and is tipped with German silver and iron. It measures 35 1/4 inches overall. CONDITION: Fine, the grip showing an attractively aged tone overall, a minor chip absent from the left ear, and a few scattered hairline age cracks. The silver shows an attractively aged patina. The shaft is very good with some light wear, a few scattered light handling marks, and some
oxidation on the iron tip.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3138
Attractive Relief Carved Serpent 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 grip of this example has been attractively carved in the form of a serpent coiled around a log. The grip is joined to the shaft with a smooth brass band. The smooth, slender shaft appears to be Malacca and is tipped with German silver. CONDITION: Very fine, the grip shows an attractive, lightly aged tone with a few barely noticeable hairline age cracks and minimal handling evidence. The band is bright with some minor separation at the seam. The shaft is very good with some areas of mild crazing in the varnish and some light wear.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 3139
Desirable Relief Carved Friendly Lion Head Cane - During the 19th and 20th centuries, canes became incredibly popular as a status symbol, especially among the upper class
in Western Europe and North America. This specific cane is a fantastic example of that, having been relief carved in the form of a friendly, smiling lion’s head, perfect for a worldly gentleman who may have spent time in Africa. The lion has been fitted with a pair of googly eyes, likely to replace an original pair of glass eyes. The smooth shaft is of Malacca and appears to have originally had a protective tip which is now absent.
CONDITION: Very good, the grip shows an attractively aged tone and a couple minor chips absent around the ears. The shaft is also very good with a few hairline age cracks
and some light crazing.
Estimate: 1,000 - 1,500
LOT 3140
Relief Carved Mouse in a Log Cane with Inscribed Sterling Silver Band - Canes reached the pinnacle of their popularity as
a fashion accessory around the mid-19th, becoming extremely popular amongst the middle and upper classes of North America and Europe as a means of displaying social status. The L-shaped grip on this example has primarily been relief carved to look like a log with a mouse poking its head out the end, while a large leaf is incise carved on the other end. The grip is joined to the shaft by a wide sterling silver band with floral scroll engraving, “SB” monogram inscription, and “D&S” maker’s marking and hallmarks. The smooth shaft is Malacca tipped with brass. CONDITION: Very fine, the grip shows an attractive, lightly aged tone with a few hairline age cracks. The fine silver band
has an attractively aged patina and crisp engraving. The shaft is very good with some scattered light handling marks throughout. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
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