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LOT 163
Desirable Relief Carved Mechanical Lion Head Cane with Silver Band - 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 realistically painted in the form of a lions head, perfect for a gentleman who may have hunted in Africa. On top of that, the lions head is mechanical, with the push of a button making the lion stick out its tongue and the color of its eyes change from brown to blue. The grip is joined to the shaft with
a sterling silver band with a lightly hammered texture and the shaft appears to be of ebony with an applied black lacquer finish and is tipped with dark horn. It measures 38 3/4 inches overall. CONDITION: Fine, the grip retaining much of the original paint with some scattered mild flaking and wear, and a visible seam on top of the head for the access panel to the mechanics. The silver band shows a mostly bright attractive antique patina and the shaft retains most of the ebonized finish with a few light handling marks and small patches of flaking.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 164
Relief Carved Antique Ivory Lobster Claw Cane - Canes reached the pinnacle of their popularity, especially among the gentry and upper echelons of society, in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, becoming far more than just a mobility tool, but rather a statement piece to project one’s social status and wealth. This attractive cane certainly checks those boxes, having been masterfully carved by a skilled artisan, and in the form of a lobster claw, an animal which has been prized as a delicacy through various times in history in cuisine from around the world. The antique ivory grip is carved in the shape of a lobster claw grasping what appears to be a shrimp. The hardwood shaft has an ebonized finish and is tipped with brass. It measures 33 5/8 inches overall. CONDITION: Very good, the handle showing a few hairline age cracks and an attractively aged color, with a small gap between the grip and shaft. The shaft retains most of the ebonized finish with some minor handling marks scattered throughout and an uneven wear pattern on the tip.
Estimate: 1,700 - 2,500
LOT 165
Attractive Relief Carved Antique Ivory Organ Grinder Monkey Cane - Beginning in approximately the 16th century, canes gradually became more popular 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. Interestingly, this cane has been relief carved in the form of an organ grinders monkey wearing a fez, a profession that for much of its history was considered little more than disguising a beggar. In fact, from 1935 to 1975 the practice was banned in New York City. The fez wearing monkey grip is attached to the shaft with a silver band that is fashioned to look like a collared shirt worn by the monkey and the shaft appears to be of fruit wood and is tipped with brass. It measures 35 1/4 inches overall. CONDITION: Very good, the grip showing an attractive aged color and a few scattered light handling marks. The silver band is mostly bright with some attractively aged patina and the shaft has a few scattered light handling marks and retains most of the varnish.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
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