For over five centuries, canes have been a vessel of projecting wealth and power, though probably never more prominent than in the 18th and 19th centuries, when they reached the pinnacle of their popularity. This piece is certainly a prime example of that, the grip being masterfully relief carved. The grip has been beautifully carved with a fox looking longingly up at a grape vine, a homage to the tale from Aesop's fables regarding "the fox and the grapes", an educational story warning of the dangers of envy. On the lower portion of the grip is a scrimshawed monogram, likely that of the original owner, that appears to be either "MI" or "HI". The grip is joined to the shaft by an 18K gold band with the maker's mark of Alexander Crichton (c. 2nd half of the 19th century). The thin springy shaft is ebonized and tipped with light horn. It measures 38 1/4 inches overall.

Fine, the grip having a few minuscule chips absent from the more delicate edges and showing an attractive lightly aged appearance overall. The shaft is excellent with minimal handling evidence overall.