Exceptionally Inlaid and Dated Scrimshaw Cane with Date 1837 Engraved on Gold Bar, American 1837
InformationInlaid walking stick with gold band dated 1837. The cane has a whale ivory capstan shaped grip, and it bears a five-pointed star inlay on the top surrounded by an inlaid border. The bottom of the grip is octagonal, as is the top of the shaft, with a quadrilateral section below., all of which bear multiple decorative inlays of abalone, baleen, and mother-of-pearl. The lower part of the tapered shaft is rounded and begins with a short, fluted section above several applied gold vertical bars wrapped by a gold band engraved "1837". Explicitly dated scrimshaw canes are rare, and the use of gold is extremely rare. For so early a cane, the sophistication of the scrimshanding is unexpected.
Condition: The cane is in excellent condition and has a warm deep patina.
Dimension: Height 35 ¼ Inches
Reference: The cane is described and illustrated in the book “Wandering Whalemen and their Art…”, by Alan Granby and published by Hyland Granby, page 324.
1837
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