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LOT 168
Unique World War II Era American Patriotic Folk Art Cane - During the 19th and
20th centuries,
r’s
LOT 166
Attractive Relief Carved Antique Ivory Three Bulldogs Cane with Inscribed Sterling Silver Band - 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. The grip of this
cane has been impressively carved with three bulldog heads, a long-time symbol of tenacity and combativeness, a reputation gained early in their lineage due to their involvement in
the violent English sport of “bull-baiting”. The center of the three bulldogs certainly shows that tenacity in its expression while the two
on either side show looks of concern. All three of the bulldogs have dark paint accents, most notably in the eyes. The grip is joined to the shaft with a sterling silver band that is hand engraved with a former owner’s initials, “C. McQ”. The smooth ebonized shaft is tipped with dark horn. It measures 37 inches overall. CONDITION: Fine, the grip showing an attractively aged color, some scattered hairline age cracks, and retaining much of the accent enamel. The silver band shows an attractively aged patina and the shaft retains most of the ebonized finish with a few visible drips and otherwise minimal handling evidence.
186 Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 167
Impressive Relief Carved Horse Head
Racing Cane with Silver Bridle - 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. This unique piece is
a prime example of that with the grip expertly relief carved in the form of an exceptionally detailed horse’s head, which may have been meant to represent an owner’s prized racehorse. The horse has yellow glass eyes and is fitted with a silver bridle of great, delicate detail, including a collar-like band joining it to the hooked grip. The shaft appears to be of Malacca with remnants
of a darker finish applied to the grip area and tipped with horn and an additional silver band. It measures 32 3/8 inches overall.
CONDITION: Fine, the horse head showing some mild wear and some scattered light handling marks. The grip area/shaft are also fine with some mild wear on the grip area and some scattered light flaking and handling marks. Estimate: 1,300 - 1,900
canes reached their pinnacle of popularity,
becoming a must have
accessory for those wishing
to publicly proclaim their
social and economic status.
This example appears to be
from the World War II era and
takes on a slightly different
purpose, rather than social
status, this cane appears to
be a proclamation of the owne
patriotism. The structure of the cane itself is of an unknown substance with the appearance of black sand which has been coated in resin. Scattered throughout this unknown material are various
shapes of what may be colored glass or plastic and paint, many of which are patriotic or American in nature, including a baseball bat, American flag, American eagle, football, aviator propeller/wings logo, and an anchor. Along with all of these designs there is a picture of a man inset into the shaft who appears to be wearing a World War II era uniform,
as well as an inset artist’s depiction of who appears
to be General Douglas MacArthur, supported by a large “V” for victory symbol. The piece certainly has the appearances of being a “trench art” creation
done by an American serviceman, likely during
the war or shortly after. It measures 33 3/4 inches overall.
CONDITION: Fine, with a few minor chips and a hairline crack just below the curve of the grip on the back side and otherwise minimal handling marks overall with all of the inlet pieces and paint appearing to remain under the varnish. A very interesting folk art piece, almost certainly made by a World War II serviceman!
Estimate: 1,200 - 1,800
LOT 169
Attractive Masterfully Relief Carved Antique Ivory Hunting Scene Pedestal
- This interesting piece
may have once been
a grip for a cane, or
intended as a purely
display piece from
the beginning, as it is in its current state. The antique
ivory has been masterfully carved with hunting scenes centered around a center pedestal. The center portion has been carved, textured,
and painted to imitate
wood. The top portion
features two hunters with
what appear to be flintlock firearms, each with a hunting dog. The lower portion
features a bearded man in what appears to be middle eastern attire holding the reigns of a horse. The piece is fitted loosely into a hardwood and horn base. Measures nearly 6 inches tall.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains almost all of the brown finish
with only the slightest handling evidence. The connection with the base is slightly loose. There is
a minor age-related crack in the horn portion
of the base, but it otherwise shows
minimal handling/ storage evidence. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000