Page 190 - 89-FLIPBOOK2

LOT 1207
Attractive Relief Carved French World War I Poilu Cane - 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. Canes and walking sticks continued to be popular during World War I not only as a status symbol, but also due to the often treacherous terrain. The antique ivory grip of this example
has been expertly relief carved in the form of a French poilu of the 163e regiment d’infanterie, which took part in many of the major battles of the war, including in the Argonne, Verdun, and the Somme. 250 members of the regiment are listed as killed in action on the Monument aux Morts in Nice. The heavily mustachioed soldier is shown wearing an M15 pattern helmet and smoking a pipe, with
“163” on both sides of the collar of his coat. The grip is fitted to a
heavily knobbed and grained shaft, which the French call “neflier
sanglant”, that is tipped with iron. It measures 37 1/2 inches
overall.
CONDITION: Fine, the grip
showing some scattered
hairline age cracks and fantastic detail. The shaft
shows a few minor age- related cracks. A fine cane to pair with a collection of
French military arms!
Provenance: Laurence Jantzen Le Louvre des Antiquaires; The Larry
Mattson Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500
LOT 1208
Extra Length Relief Carved Resting Lion 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 beautifully relief carved and in the form of a resting lion, perfect for a gentleman who may have hunted in Africa. Along with that, this cane is longer than typical canes, with the grip area and lanyard hole below the carved lion, much more like a utilitarian walking stick, ideal for long treks in the bush. The lion is joined to the shaft with an iron band, and a smooth silver band is below the secondary grip area. The shaft
is of smooth Malacca and tipped with an iron spike-like cone. It measures 48 1/4 inches overall.
CONDITION: Fine, the lion showing an attractively aged tone, some light chips, and some hairline age cracks. The metals show an attractively aged patina. The shaft is also fine and shows some scattered light handling marks throughout.
Provenance: Gilbert Segas Passage Jouffroy; The Larry Mattson Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1209
Attractive Relief Carved Jean Jacques Rousseau Bust Cane with Silver Band - Canes gradually became more and more popular in the 16th century among the upper echelons of society, reaching its pinnacle around the late- 19th to early-20th centuries. They became far more than just an accessory to assist with mobility, and more of a symbol of ones status and wealth. This specific cane is a perfect example of a desirable accessory of high society, with the antique ivory grip having been expertly carved with a detailed bust of Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). Rousseau was an incredibly well-known philosopher and author during the mid-18th century and is widely regarded as one of the fathers of the Age of Enlightenment as well as a major influence on modern political, economic, and educational thought. The eyes of the bust have been accented with black enamel and it sits atop a carved pedestal of ferns. The grip is joined to the smooth mahogany shaft with a German silver band. The shaft has subtle brass tack decoration along the length and had a
ferrule on the tip which is now absent. It measures 45 1/4 inches overall.
CONDITION: Very fine, the grip shows an attractive lightly aged tone with
a few hairline age cracks and retaining
the black enamel. The shaft is fine with some scattered light handling marks and crazing, and the ferrule absent. Provenance:
Laurence Jantzen Le Louvre des
Antiquaires; The Larry Mattson
Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
188