Exceptional whale ivory and narwhal architectural cane, circa 1850
InformationExceptional whale ivory, narwhal and walrus ivory cane, American, circa 1850. The cane has a capstan shaped eight-sided whale ivory grip with abalone inlaid diamonds on each side and a star abalone inlay at the top. Below the grip is a carved whale ivory section with a carved cage with four windows. Inside each of the windows is a baleen and ivory twisted rope dowel like post. At the center, there is a fifth and larger dowel. The following section is a polished smooth long section of narwhal which is divided into 6 parts. The top part is fluted and followed by reversing rope sections. A diamond shaped baleen inlay wraps the circumference as a divider to each of the different sections. The bottom section of the cane is a rounded and polished smooth section of walrus ivory. (WS0272)
Condition: The cane is in fine condition and has a warm age patina. There are a few typical age cracks in the narwhal section.
Provenance 1: Dr. Rosenthal, Nantucket
Barbara Johnson IV - Lot 166 - This cane is illustrated and described as a Captain's going ashore cane with lot 166 and is illustrated in color plate XV.
Dimension: Length 35 ½ inches.
Circa 1850
Classification(s)
