The daily carry of canes reached the pinnacle of its popularity around the late-19th to early-20th centuries. They were more than just a mobility tool, but rather an accessory with which one could publicly project their economic and social status. Popular motifs for canes evolved through the centuries; however, the Victorian era specifically saw a resurgence in interest in classical Greco-Roman culture and art, leading to many canes from the era featuring Greco-Roman or classical mythological themes like this example. The antique ivory grip of this cane has been masterfully carved in the form of a human skull wearing a classical crown of laurel leaves. Laurel wreaths/crowns are often view as a symbol of victory or triumph, leading the writer to believe this cane is meant to symbolize triumph or victory at great cost. The grip is joined to the shaft by a band of woven silver wire. The smooth shaft is of Malacca and tipped with dark horn. It measures 33 7/8 inches overall.

Fine, the grip showing an attractively aged tone overall with a few scattered hairline age cracks and nicks on the nose. The silver shows an attractive aged patina. The shaft is very good with some scattered mild flaking of the varnish and some hairline cracks near the tip.