Collecting Antique Walking Sticks and Canes

By M.S. Rau Antiques

In centuries past, well-heeled gentlemen, and ladies

too, were seldom seen without a walking stick in
hand. Unlike today, canes of the 17th, 18th and 19th
centuries, often boasting handles of precious metals
and jewels, served as symbols of wealth, power and
social stature. They were much more a fashion
accessory than walking aide. Of course, the dictates
of society have changed drastically since then and
the fashionable engagements that filled the days of
the well-to-do are far less stringent. Today, canes are
more utilitarian in nature and are used primarily as an
aid for getting around.

They generally lack the attention to aesthetic beauty

that once dominated their manufacture. Yet despite
their decline on the fashion scene, the walking stick is
enjoying an extraordinary resurgence in popularity
among collectors who have become fascinated with
the history, workmanship and hidden treasures found Russian Blackamoor Cane
in them.

While it is impossible to expound on all of the fascinations of canes and cane collecting
in such a limited space, the following is a brief overview of walking sticks along with a few
hints on building a collection and a list of helpful reference materials.

From Prehistoric Man to the Thrones of Europe

The first canes were probably little more than tree branches used for support when
prehistoric man took his first upright steps. Since then the use, symbolism and form of the
walking stick has evolved quite drastically. Ornate
staffs carved with mythical characters and
symbols would have belonged to prehistoric
chieftains as would those made of mammoth
tusks and stag horns. First written mention, if
somewhat circumstantial, can be found in the
Old Testament's Book of Genesis where the story
of Caine and Abel unfolds. Caine used a stick to
kill his brother Abel, and some enthusiasts have
ventured to suggest that the word "cane" was
thusly derived. I will leave that argument to the
historians.

Even farther back in time, numerous references to

the cane can be found among ancient Egyptian
artifacts. Walking sticks, it seems, were very
popular among the ancient Egyptians with each
profession such as merchant, shepherd or priest
possessing a cane of differing form and function.
Faberge Cane
Even the Pharaoh would have carried a special staff of some kind. The cane's
importance to the Egyptians extended from life even into death as exemplified by the
legendary King Tut. More than 100 staffs, or walking sticks, were found in his tomb
undoubtedly to assist and protect him in the afterlife.

Indeed, the cane has always been used as a form of protection whether by design or
circumstance. Travelers of the Middle Ages would seldom take to the unfriendly roads
without the protection of their walking stick. These rudimentary aides were indispensable
as weapons, tools, supports and even as smuggling devices for money and other
precious cargoes.

The cane's role as a token of social stature took hold during the 16th and 17th centuries
when kings and aristocrats introduced them into society duly encrusted with jewels and
precious metals. So fervent was the demand by stature-hungry nobility for extravagant
walking sticks that artisans were
compelled to stretch the level of
their creativity to new heights.
Portraits of kings and aristocrats of
Europe often include extraordinary
walking sticks of gold and silver
outlandishly encrusted with jewels
of every hue and size.

By the 19th and early 20th century,

the importance of the walking
stick as a status symbol had
extended down to the middle
and, in some cases, the lower
classes and its role as a fashion
accessory was firmly in place. The
industrial revolution that swept
through Europe in the mid 19th Hidden Dagger Cane
century added further fuel to the
cane's enormous popularity by making production faster and much less expensive. It was
during this period that the system cane or gadget cane, those that served a dual or
hidden purposes, flourished. More than 1500 patents for these wonderful canes were
applied for ranging from sword canes, to physician's canes, to fishing pole canes and
even to canes that converted into bicycles.

While most decorative canes were manufactured in England and France, Carl Fabergé
of Russia and Tiffany Studios in America produced some of the most magnificent and
expensive canes in the world. Today, these canes are the most highly prized pieces in
any collection.

Walking Sticks Enjoy an Un-Cane-y Popularity

Few collectibles offer a better telltale of history than canes. Their range in decoration
and function are certainly testaments to the ingenuity and talent of the artisans who
created them, but they are also windows into the lives of our ancestors who possessed
them. The magic of owning a walking stick lies in the story buried within it. Beneath the
surface of many sticks one can find an extraordinarily accurate commentary not only of
the people, but also the major social, economic and political issues of the times.

For example, many ladies of the 18th and 19th centuries carried a "vinaigrette" cane to
protect them from a variety of ailments. Throughout history, vinegar has been heralded
for its medicinal qualities. A sponge soaked in the healing liquid was placed in a small
container with holes in it on the handle of the cane. Should a lady's tight corset cause
her to faint or should she encounter someone with a dreaded illness, her vinaigrette
tucked into her cane was close at hand to protect her. In a similar fashion, many ladies
soaked a sponge in perfume to relieve them from the unpleasant odors encountered in
unsanitary public places.
In France, during the civil
unrest of the 19th century,
canes were often prohibited in
public places or during public
gatherings as they often
concealed deadly weapons
such as swords, spikes and
guns. French insurgents used
canes with hidden razors to
discretely sabotage police
horses in crowded gatherings
by slashing their ankles. When
the police looked for the
dastardly perpetrator, the
weapon was already
retracted, hidden in its
innocent looking cane shaft
and the insurgent was well on
his way from the scene...
Rare Professor`s Cane
completely undetected.

Canes were also used during politically tumultuous times to demonstrate allegiance. One
such cane had what appeared to be an ivory knob handle with ordinary rings carved
into it. However, when a light was shined upon it, it cast a shadow of Napoleon's profile,
identifying the carrier as a supporter of the overthrown emperor. Canes also identified
members of organizations such as the Freemasons who carried three-sided canes
representing their society's symbol.

Such anecdotes number in the thousands and for the collector they are the driving force
behind collecting walking sticks. Add to that the incredible beauty, workmanship and
rarity of many walking sticks and collectors find themselves unable to resist this engaging
pastime.

Categorizing Your Walking Sticks

There are basically three types of walking sticks: decorative, folk art and system. While
the distinctions can be fuzzy for many sticks, they provide a good foundation for
categorizing the thousands of canes that have been produced over the past several
hundred years.

Decorative canes, as the name implies, were the cane as fashion accessory in its purest
form. Unlike their system cane counterparts, their function was for the most part
aesthetic. The variety of materials and forms of these decorative canes was limited only
by the imagination of highly trained artisans and craftsmen. Ivory, gold, silver, porcelain,
jewels, enamel and even glass were just a few of the materials employed in creating
formal, decorative walking sticks.

Folk art canes, unlike their more formal counterparts, by definition were made by single,
often untrained artisans. There purpose was to cast attention on the creator not the
carrier; they were an expression of the artists skill and personality and can be
distinguished from formal canes in various ways. The folk art cane is most often crafted
completely of wood and is often highly carved from its handle to the bottom of its shaft.
There is seldom a ferrule on folk art canes. And, while folk art canes are often less formal
in appearance, they are nonetheless some of the most beautiful canes ever produced
are highly regarded among collectors.

System canes, or gadget canes as they are also known, are perhaps the most
fascinating and highly collected type of walking sticks. This category of canes consists of
those with a dual or hidden purpose, such as a sword, a whiskey flask and glass, or a
walking stick carried by physicians containing scalpels and syringes. More than 1500
patents for gadget canes were applied for during the 18th and 19th centuries and were
used in much the same way as we use a purse or wallet today.

Because gadget canes were more utilitarian in nature and usually not as beautifully
embellished as decorative canes, they were often relegated to the dusty corners of
attics and basements after they fell from fashion in the 1920s. Worse yet, many were
given to children as playthings. They are therefore very difficult to find complete with all
of their various pieces making them some of the most desirable and popular, albeit
sometimes the hardest to find, type of cane.

Decorative Canes

The decorative canes available to collectors today are those hailing primarily from the
second half of the 19th century and into the 1920s. Most decorative canes have a plain
shaft with a decorative handle crafted from a variety of materials.

Silver handles were widely produced during this time period and are easily obtained
making them a good starting point for a decorative cane collection. Be careful,
however; many handles that may have the appearance of sterling silver are not and
they should be priced accordingly, unless the stick has other historical importance,
provenance or rarity. Finely chased sterling and gold knob handles were often inscribed
and used as presentation sticks while even fancier sterling knobs might take the form of
animals, human figures or elaborate crook handles. The Art Nouveau period produced
some extraordinary sterling-handled canes which are highly prized by collectors.

Ivory was a favorite medium for cane artisans who carved fabulous handles of every
shape and form for a seemingly insatiable market. Because of its rarity, however, ivory
sticks were generally only attainable by the wealthiest members of society. Among the
rarest and most expensive examples are those canes carved completely of ivory. More
than any other material, ivory handles offer the greatest variety of subjects to be found
on cane handles. Practically every type of animal, from dogs to elephants, has been
represented as well as every example of flower or mythical character and beast. Faces
and human forms also had their place on the carved ivory cane handle. They continue
to be enormously popular among collectors, especially examples that are embellished
with glass eyes or jewels and which are free from heavy discoloration or cracks. Dry, hot
weather and direct sunlight can cause ivory to crack, so great care should be taken to
control the humidity and sun exposure in areas where these canes are displayed.

Because of their high cost, canes with gold handles are among the rarest and most dear
to collectors. Look for highly chased crook handles with the gold content marked. Many
canes carved from less expensive materials will have an ornate gold collar as an accent.
Most gold handled canes were made for evening use and will usually have an ebony or
equally elegant shaft.
Porcelain handles produced by renowned makers such as Meissen and Sèvres are highly
collectible due to their extraordinary beauty and rarity. Because they are so fragile, most
porcelain handles were damaged over the years and are difficult to find in mint
condition.

Other materials used to craft handles and shafts for decorative canes included tortoise
shell, bone, antler, brass, bronze, wood, snakeskin, leather, sharkskin, and even glass. As
with most decorative antiques, care should be taken to acquire canes that are free of
cracks, chips or repairs. Use your judgement however. Rarity, exceptional beauty or
important provenance should at times override minor flaws.

Perhaps the most important canes on the market today are those that were produced
by elite houses such as Fabergé and Tiffany. These canes, often encrusted with diamonds
and jewels, can command prices well over $15,000 and are most certainly considered
the prize of any collection. The shop of Fabergé was known for its intricate enamel and
diamond handles while Tiffany produced elegant gold handles with shining ebony or
handsome tortoise shell shafts. Examples are few and prices continue to soar as
collectors scoop these masterpieces off of the market.

Due to the variety of decorative canes, the collector can build upon a number of
variations. Prices will depend not only on the materials used, but also on the degree of
decoration, the quality of the workmanship and the rarity of a particular theme. Canes
that combine various materials, such as porcelain and gold, or ivory and sterling can also
command premium prices. Erotic canes, depicting nude forms, carved from ivory or cast
in sterling often bring a small premium over canes of similar materials. Even sticks whose
decorative material may be somewhat less than appealing can bring high prices based
on its rarity. One such stick is the bull's penis cane which, aptly named, is covered from
top to bottom wtih the phallic skin of one very unlucky bull. Fortunately, the material's
origin is not readily apparent unless an explanation is offered.

The System Cane

System canes are the most highly collected types of canes and there are literally
thousands of types from which to choose. As stated earlier, a system cane is one that has
a dual purpose or hidden meaning or function. These canes were used in much the
same way as we use a wallet or a purse today and wealthy gentlemen or ladies would
have owned several canes to be used for different outings and purposes.

Gadget canes fall into four broad categories based on their function, many of which
were quite ingenious. Professional canes were used by a host of tradesmen and
professionals to carry various tools and accessories. City canes, used most often by
fashionable ladies and gentleman, often housed such necessities as cigars, snuff boxes,
perfume atomizers and bottles, watches, opera glasses, pipes, and even hidden
cameras. Musical canes such as flutes and violins also fall into this category. Outdoor
canes held the items needed for outdoor activities including fishing, birdwatching, and
lawn games. Weapon canes, as the name implies, concealed swords, daggers, spikes,
flails, bludgeons and even guns. Some particularly sinister sticks were those outfitted with
retractable razor blades and spikes along the shaft. It would be virtually impossible to
expound on every type of system cane created in such a short space. Be assured, there
is a cane for virtually every whim and fancy and collectors often have a hard time trying
to choose a direction for their collection. Following are a few examples of some of the
more popular and important gadget canes created during the 18th and 19th centuries.
They are listed by category.
The most important rule of thumb when collecting system canes is to acquire only those
canes whose contents are complete. They are, of course, a little more expensive, but in
the end they will render a much more valuable collection.

Professional Canes

Of the professional canes, none seems to enjoy more popularity than the doctor's cane.
The caduceus, two snakes entwined around a central staff, has long been the symbol of
the medical profession, and the cane was a natural manifestation of that symbol.
Eighteenth- and 19th-century physicians were seldom without their walking sticks and
such a close association was formed that patients derived a sense of reassurance at the
sight of their physician's powerful walking stick. These handsome canes often served as a
medicine bag for busy physicians with many containing surgical instruments, syringes,
medicines, bleeders and vinaigrettes. It is interesting to note that a doctor might make
several house calls without ever changing or cleaning the instruments handily tucked into
the shaft of his cane. Canes containing small flasks for holding liquor were also popular
with physicians who might take a few swigs on his rounds to protect himself from cholera
or other deadly epidemics. The mortician's cane is one of the more unusual canes I have
come across, and though its design is quite simple, the cane is extraordinarily rare. During
the 18th and 19th centuries, when epidemics spread like wildfire, a town's mortician was
often very busy, and one might assume, very wealthy. The mortician's cane consists of a
brass rod notched with measurement indicators that slide from the shaft of the cane
allowing fast and easy measurement of the deceased in preparation for his final resting
place. Dog racers used a similar device outfitted with a leather strap for measuring their
racers. Many incorporated a whistle in the handle too!

Tailors and seamstresses often carried sticks housing tools of their trade including
measuring tapes that could be pulled from the handle, needles, thread, ivory or sterling
thimbles, pin cushions and even vials of beads for fancy decoration.

Sailors and ship captains had a variety of canes from which to choose including those
with powerful telescopes hidden inside. Lower ranking sailors might have carried canes
with small knives or eating utensils as well.

One of the most interesting professional canes I have acquired is the painter's cane
constructed of a rather plain bamboo shaft with an ivory knob. One would never suspect
that it held all of the tools of the artist's trade including paints, brushes, rags, water
canisters and pencils. The shaft of the cane even converts into a portable easel!

City Canes

Some of the most beautiful of the system canes are those used for more social or
fashionable purposes. City canes included those outfitted with mother-of-pearl opera
glasses, handsome pocket watches, or a handy umbrella which held obvious appeal on
rainy days.

One of the finest and perhaps most salacious of the city sticks is the "whore house" coin
cane handsomely decorated with a leather and brass crook handle. A gentleman could
exercise the ultimate in discretion as he dispensed from his fine cane the exact amount
of money needed to purchase the services of a prostitute.

Musical canes also fall into this category and are among the most rare and highly sought
after among collectors. The violin cane, in particular, complete with a bow hidden inside
the shaft, has fetched prices as high as $25,000 and is in demand among serious
collectors. Flute canes and other wind instruments are also popular and in many cases,
much more accessible than their stringed counterparts.

System canes were also fashionable among society women who often carried fans,
embroidery needles and thread, powder boxes, parasols, atomizers and perfume bottles
hidden in the shafts or handles of their delicately appointed canes. Ladies' system canes
were often more decorative adn can be found with carved ivory, gold, sterling, enamel
and porcelain handles.

Outdoor canes also offer collectors a wealth of excellent choices. Their complexity
ranges from the single mechanism seat cane to the picnic cane complete with knives,
forks, corkscrews, salt and pepper shakers, and even chopsticks! Other outdoor canes
held compasses, fishing poles, doge leashes and maps.

Of all the outdoor canes, however, the tippling cane continues to be very popular
among collectors. Also known as a whiskey flask cane, these handy types of sticks were
made famous by the renowned painter Toulouse Lautrec whose penchant for drink led
him to the desperate measuring of hiding illegal absinthe in a flask ingeniously fitted into
the shaft of his cane. The most common model has compartments for a glass flask and a
small stem glass. These canes enjoyed a resurgence in popularity during Prohibition in the
United States.

Weapons Canes

Weapons canes present the more sinister side of the system cane and often carry the
highest price tags. They are among the most complex of canes as they were skillfully
crafted to conceal a host of deadly weapons.

Seemingly innocuous and plain in demeanor with little embellishment, these canes
could, at the flick of the wrist, become a lethal weapon. So deceptive were these
weapon canes, the French government declared it illegal to carry a cane into a public
gathering for fear that any one of them might conceal harmful weapons, including guns.

These fears were apparently well founded. Three of the most diabolical canes known to
exist were used by insurgents during 19th- century street riots in France. One such cane
patented in 1883 and aptly named "La Terrible" contained three sets of double razor
blades that emerged from its painted metal shaft ripping the hands of anyone trying to
grab it. This cane along with two similarly outfitted canes, "La Diabolique," and "La
Redoutable" were so sinister they were outlawed in France shortly after they went into
production. Today, very few collectors have had the good fortune of acquiring a set of
these rare canes.

As a rule, most gentleman of the 19th century owned a wide variety of canes. That
collection would most assuredly have included at least one sword, dagger or stiletto
cane. Sword canes are, as the name suggests, long blades hidden in the shaft of a
cane. The primary value of these sticks more than likely is derived from the blade as
opposed to the cane itself. High quality blades by Toledo in Spain or Wilkinson from
England carry a premium over other blades of less renowned manufacture, and likewise,
Toledo blades with special etching or spring-action handles will bring a higher price than
plainer models.

In all of my years acquiring and selling canes, two sword canes stand out. Keep in mind
that during the 19th century a man's honor was sacrosanct and the least verbal
infraction against that honor was taken as an affront worthy of a duel to the death. The
wise man was always prepared, and for the carrier of the "dueling cane," doubly so. This
clever cane was equipped with not one, but two swords, in the event that one's
opponent was without a weapon! The second sword cane, also intended for duels, bore
the French inscription "Never take me out with reason...Never put me back without
honor."

Dagger canes are, in a sense, swords with shorter blades. Many daggers were specially
designed to inflict the maximum amount of injury and many can be found with intricate
embellishment. Stiletto canes were probably the most ingenious of the weapon canes as
they were completely hidden with no visible break in the cane. A quick flip of the wrist
could eject a sharp blade from either the handle or ferrule of the cane.

One adaptation of the stiletto was a cane whose shaft would retract as the blade was
plunged into the body unbeknownst to any onlookers.

Gun canes were designed as concealed weapons which might explain their unrefined
appearance. Used for self defense and by poachers, an ornate and flashy cane might
have drawn unwanted attention to the carrier. Gun canes can be found with a variety
of firing mechanisms including the flintlock and breech loaders. While most firearm sticks
are highly desirable, those manufactured by well-known manufacturers like Derringer
and Remington often carry a premium price.

The Anatomy of a Cane

Like any area of collecting there are certain related terms that bear explanation when
discussing the anatomy of a cane. The first is the handle by which the cane is held and
can be found in numerous shapes and forms and, as pointed out earlier, can be crafted
from a host of different materials.

The main support of the cane comes from the shaft which is the long straight part of the
cane and it too can be found made of a host of different materials. The wood used for
the shaft of the cane often indicated its purpose. Elegant ebony or tortoiseshell shafts
with gold or jewelled handles were most often intended for evening wear while lighter
woods such as malacca, fruitwood, or bamboo were used during the day for less formal
occasions. Make a note when buying canes, that ebony and ebonized are completely
different. An ebony shaft means that the cane is made from ebony wood. The color will
vary from deep black to dark red. Ebonized, on the other hand, indicates only that the
shaft of the cane has been enamelled black or otherwise disguised to mimic ebony
wood. Ebony, of course, is the most desirable, but many fine canes can be found wiht
ebonized shafts at a lower price.

If the shaft and the handle are made of different materials, as is often the case with more
formal or non-folk art canes, they are often held together by a band or collar which was
used to hide the joint and to provide decorative accents to the cane. Earlier sticks
dating prior to the mid-18th century usually had no collars and those following shortly
after had thin collars. By the beginning of the 19th century, artisans began using the
collar as an integral part of the cane's overall decoration making them much wider and
in many cases intricately chased and incised. The collar was often used for inscriptions on
presentation canes and sterling and gold collars can often be found on many canes
whose owners could not afford to have a larger handle made completely of precious
metal.

You may notice a small eyelet drilled near the top of many canes and lined with metal or
ivory. Wrist Cords were passed through these holes and could be worn around the wrist
for easier carrying. Finally, the ferrule protects the tip of the cane and can often be used
as a fairly accurate telltale of the age of your cane. Some ferrules are made of the same
material as the handle, while most were simply made of some other durable material like
hard metal. Earlier canes were made with a longer brass ferrule, sometimes 6 or 7 inches,
in order to protect the cane from mud on unpaved roads. As more and more roads,
especially those in the city, were blacktopped ferrules became progressively shorter.
Most folk art canes do not have a ferrule.

Displaying your canes

Displaying your cane collection is a matter of personal taste. A small collection can be
attractively displayed in something as simple as an umbrella stand. There are many
stands specifically made to display canes and they can vary greatly in shape and price.
Wall racks also make attractive displays.

Porcelain, glass, enamel and jewelled canes should be displayed carefully so as not to
allow them to bump one another. Many a fine cane has been damaged due to a
careless display. As a dealer in important and rare canes, I carry an extensive selection
of display cases that allow for safe and handsome displays.

Building Your Collection

Building any kind of collection is a highly personal endeavor and whichever road you
choose to follow, if you adhere to the premise of quality over quantity you will be well on
your way to amassing a valuable collection. Collections of any kind that hold superior
value and importance are those whose pieces were selected primarily for their quality,
rarity or provenance and secondly for their price.

Generally, decorative canes of exceptional beauty or complete system canes bring a

higher price than those with damage or those that are incomplete. The exception will lie
with canes made of exotic and rare materials or with those that carry with them a
special provenance.

As a rule, it is always advisable to buy from a respected dealer. If you find a cane, shake
it and listen, there could be a treasure inside and unexpected finds are always the best
and most memorable. But beware. Reproductions abound and unscrupulous dealers will
try to pass them off as authentic.

References

There are several wonderful reference books on antique walking sticks, but there are a
few I highly recommend. If you are interested in building your collection around system
canes, you will not want to be without "Cane Curiosa," a thorough and definitive work by
Catherine Dike. This extensive volume features hundreds of photographs and descriptions
of virtually every system cane known. Another indispensable volume for collectors of
American canes is "Canes in the United States" also by Catherine Dike.

Other notable works include "Canes Throughout the Ages" by renowned collector Francis
Monek and "Canes from the 17th to the 20th Century" by Jeffrey B. Snyder. A wonderful
book by Italian collector Alfredo Lamberti provides useful information along with a
collection of stunning photographs of both decorative and system walking sticks. Folk Art
cane collectors will want to study George H. Meyer's "American Folk Art Canes."