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19th C Walking Stick With Silver Plate Handle Top Above Hand Carved Cane

Offered by: Clive Devenish Antiques

Description
Vintage fine quality American hand crafted silver plated handle top walking stick; the top is meticulously decorated in repousse motifs with great attention to detail. The completely authentic mid Victorian cane is all original with no repairs or alterations; it has the original finish to the silver plated surface and mahogany hand carved round stick with 1 1/4" original ferrule screwed on from the bottom. The top looks like silver but since we can't find a hallmark, I'll call it silver plate.

A unique aspect of this cane is the noise or rattle sound it makes when you shake it (see attached video). I have no idea how to get inside to find out what it is----whether or not it is a knife, valuable coins, or simply worthless pebbles. I have studied it from top to bottom to try and figure out how to open it, but to no avail; without cutting into it and destroying it. I have tried turning, pushing, pulling, everything on the cane, just short sawing it in two. After nearly 50 years of ownership it is time to pass the frustration on to somebody else and let them decide how to proceed. I have "enjoyed" the mystery long enough! There might be something valuable inside or the contents might be completely worthless. No charge for the adventure and curiosity----priced to reflect a well made fine quality Victorian period walking stick with a decorated silver top in all original condition. The cane has a slight warp to it (see the images), but otherwise is quite nice, sturdy and usable, and has a fair amount of weight to it----just about two pounds.

It should be noted that most 19th century walking sticks were used as fashion statements more often than for orthopaedic utility. There was even an individual style and gait that users employed in carrying and walking with their canes.

Provenance: From my own collection, having acquired locally in a San Francisco estate sale in 1976

Dimensions:
39" long
1 1/8" diameter stick
2 1/4" diameter top
1 1/4" diameter collar

More Information

Origin:	United States
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Silver Plate,Wood,Hand-Carved,Hand-Crafted,Repoussé
Condition:	Good.
Styles / Movements:	Traditional, Victorian
Incollect Reference #:	733500

Dimensions

W.	2.25 in;	H.	39 in;	D.	2.25 in;
W.	5.72 cm;	H.	99.06 cm;	D.	5.72 cm;

Message from Seller:

We are specialists in the field of antique mechanical coin banks. These rare and unique items were sold during the late 1800's and early 1900's to encourage and educate young children on the importance of saving money, with the majority of them having been made in America. We are leading experts in this field and one of the foremost dealers, having traded in mechanical banks since 1976.