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LOT 1241
Desirable Relief Carved Hound Head Cane with Engraved Silver Band - 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. Cane’s were often used as a symbol to project one’s wealth, but also often used to commemorate something of importance to the person who would be carrying it. The L-shaped, antique ivory grip of this cane may be a prime example of this, having been masterfully relief carved in the form of a collared, snarling hound’s head fitted with glass eyes. This may have been a prized hunting dog of the cane’s owner. The grip is joined to the shaft with a floral patterned silver band engraved with a crowned crest featuring a pair of hands and initials that appear to be “MHC”. The shaft appears to be smooth Malacca and is tipped with brass. CONDITION: Fine, the grip showing an attractively aged tone, traces of some original enameled accents, one of the eyes replaced, and a few of the teeth chipped/absent. The silver and brass show an attractively aged patina. The shaft is very good with some mild crazing and a few scattered light handling marks.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
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LOT 1242
Attractive Relief Carved Parrot Head Cane - Rising in popularity as a statement piece in a gentleman’s wardrobe beginning in the 16th century, canes reached the zenith of their popularity around the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when men and women alike used them as a physical symbol of their wealth and social status. The silver band on this example bears the inverted triangle “WDC” marking of William Demuth & Co., which was established in 1862 and was a prominent New York tobacconist around the turn of the century. The grip has been expertly relief carved in the form of a parrot’s head which is fitted with glass eyes and has highly detailed carved feathers. The grip is joined to the shaft by the previously mentioned silver band that is also marked “STERLING”. The shaft is of smooth hardwood and tipped with steel. It measures 36 1/4 inches overall. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, the grip showing an attractive, very lightly aged tone and very minimal handling evidence. The silver band shows an attractively aged patina. The shaft is very fine with a few scattered light handling marks.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1243
Relief Carved Antique Ivory Nude Women Erotic Mask 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. This example, from that relatively reserved era, displays some rarely seen imagery for the time. The antique ivory grip has been skillfully carved
in the form of a face or mask which is made up of mostly nude women in various poses. There is a brass band where the grip meets the shaft that appears to be of rosewood tipped in brass. It measures 35 1/2 inches overall.
CONDITION: Very good, with a stabilized vertical crack on
the left side, a couple hairline age cracks, and otherwise an attractively aged appearance. The brass is mostly bright with
an attractively aged patina, and the shaft has only the slightest handling marks.
Estimate: 1,300 - 1,900