West Sea Company

CANES & WALKING STICKS

Catalog Page 20


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20.48 SCRIMSHAW CANE. Outstanding mid-19th century American whaleman-made scrimshaw cane constructed entirely of whale tooth ivory, whalebone, silver and baleen. This stout "going ashore" Captain's walking stick has a large knob in the form of a human fist clutching a baton. The realistic hand is beautifully carved from a large whale's tooth and has a cuff inlaid with two silver cuff links! The knob is attached to the thick whalebone shaft by means of a silver pin extending through the arm with a baleen separator. The shaft was obviously hand-carved, as it is slightly oblong in cross section. It terminates in its original silver (coin or sterling) ferrule which is decorated with the very detailed emblem of the Grand Army of the Republic -- an eagle atop a wheel bearing 13 stars and crossed swords. This handsome walking stick measures 33 1/2 inches long. It is in outstanding original condition showing genuine use but no abuse. There are no chips, losses, breaks or repairs. As expected, a couple of very minor age cracks exist in the ivory, quite typical of this medium. Nice old untouched "grungy" surface. 4900

FIST

FIST
BACK

FERRULE


20.46 WALKING STICK. Elegant 19th century gentleman's dress walking stick consisting of a deeply carved solid ebony shaft with ivory knob and ferrule. This stout, very handsome nautical-style cane features a large turned ivory knob. It connects to the rich ebony wood shaft decorated with deeply incised "tulip" designs, cross hatching and a rope twist giving way to a taper. It terminates in the original ivory tip with metal fastener at the bottom. 35 1/2 inches long. Outstanding original condition showing age but no abuse. 395

KNOB

DETAIL

FERRULE


20.45 SCRIMSHAW CANE. Very rare mid-19th century sailor-made walking stick constructed entirely of whale baleen! This very unusual cane consists of a surprisingly thick and stout length of baleen decoratively twisted with a spiral swirl nearly its entire length. It continues to a wrapped "handle" separated by a woven baleen Turk's head knot. The handle is wrapped with a continuous strip of yellow baleen in a helical pattern with the "lay" filled with baleen fiber (some missing). The top is crowned by yet another nicely woven baleen Turk's head knot with a mother-of-pearl center. 39 inches long by less that 1/2 inch thick. Considering the very fragile nature of this material which was subject to warpage and worming over the years (this has none), it is in a remarkable state of original preservation! A genuinely scarce scrimshaw/whaling relic. 895.

DETAIL

SUPER
DETAIL


20.36 SCRIMSHAW CANE. Fine 19th sailor made scrimshaw cane with a uniquely shaped handle carved entirely out of whale tooth ivory. This genuine whaleman's cane has a "hammer head" grip inlaid with a small mother-of-pearl disc on the top. The grip is attached with a silver pin to a separator of baleen atop another whale ivory section. This in turn is connected to the knobby wood shaft which terminates in its original brass and steel ferrule tip. The cane measures 33 1/4 inches long overall and the handle is 4 1/2 inches wide. This cane is in excellent, completely original, unmodified condition, showing good honest wear and use. A nice example of a bona fide scrimshaw walking stick from the 1800's. 575

HANDLE

FERRULE TIP


20.31 SCRIMSHAW FIST CANE. Exceptional 19th century sailor's scrimshaw walking stick with a classic fist handle. This lovely cane has a solid whale ivory knob meticulously carved in the form of an anatomically perfect clenched fist, complete with fingernails and skin folds. Execution of this carving is nothing short of "superb!" Below the fist is a carved cuff joined to the gradually tapering rosewood shaft terminating with the original whale ivory ferrule at the tip. This fine walking stick measures just over 3 feet in length and is in absolutely perfect original condition. A wonderful example of whaler folk art that is GUARANTEED to be authentic and untouched.

FIST

TIP


20.10 SCRIMSHAW CANE. Striking 19th century sailor-carved going ashore cane with a large ivory handle in the form of a classic sailor subject, the "Naughty Nellie" leg. The large handle is carved from as single piece of walrus tusk ivory and quite surprisingly fits the user's hand perfectly! Detailing includes the outline of the shoe and the top of a stocking above the calf. The handle is attached to the lovely tapering rosewood shaft by checkerboard separators of ebony and ivory, with an ebony spacer at the top and an ivory spacer at the bottom. Overall condition is excellent with the handle showing a mellow age patina with a quite acceptable fine age crack on one side indicative of its age. The cane measures 31 and 3/4 inches high and the handle 4 and 3/4 inches long. Guaranteed period and all original. A very risqué representation for its time embodying a remarkable scrimshaw stick! 1495

HANDLE


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