Lot 88: Relief Carved Elephant Bust Cane

The popularity of the cane as a status symbol for the middle classes through the upper echelons of society reached its pinnacle in the 18th and 19th centuries at roughly the same time as many European powers reached their peaks of global power. This cane would have certainly befit a worldly British gentleman after a post in certain parts of the British Empire such as Africa or India, given its subject matter. The handle shows a gentle curve on the backside and is beautifully relief carved with the bust of an elephant which is fitted with glass eyes. Interestingly, the handle appears to be carved from walrus rather than elephant. The handle is joined to the ebonized shaft by a silver plated brass band with beaded borders, and it is tipped with dark horn.

Fine, the handle showing an attractive aged look with a few hairline age cracks and a minor chip absent from the elephant's right ear. The shaft is very fine with minimal handling evidence and some light wear on the tip.