During the 19th and 20th centuries, canes reached their pinnacle of popularity, becoming a must have accessory for those wishing to publicly proclaim their social and economic status. Canes were particularly popular among the affluent of western Europe and North American. This piece specifically would have looked particularly at home in the hands of a gentleman of the southern U.S., particularly the bayous of Louisiana or the swamps of Florida given its theme. The L-shaped antique ivory grip of this example has been expertly relief carved in the form of a detailed juvenile alligator. The grip is joined to the shaft with wide silver band with floral motifs marked "STERLING". The slender shaft is knobbed and tipped with German silver and iron. It measures 34 3/4 inches overall.

Fine, the grip showing an attractive, lightly aged tone, a minor chip absent from the nose of the alligator, and a few hairline age cracks. The silver shows an attractively aged patina. The shaft is also fine with minimal handling evidence and some mild patina on the tip.