Steadily growing in popularity starting around the 16th century, canes reached the pinnacle of their popularity amongst the upper classes of society around the late-19th and early-20th centuries. Cane's were often used as a symbol to project one's wealth, but also often used to commemorate something of importance to the person who would be carrying it. The L-shaped, antique ivory grip of this cane may be a prime example of this, having been masterfully relief carved in the form of a collared, snarling hound's head fitted with glass eyes. This may have been a prized hunting dog of the cane's owner. The grip is joined to the shaft with a floral patterned silver band engraved with a crowned crest featuring a pair of hands and initials that appear to be "MHC". The shaft appears to be smooth Malacca and is tipped with brass.

Fine, the grip showing an attractively aged tone, traces of some original enameled accents, one of the eyes replaced, and a few of the teeth chipped/absent. The silver and brass show an attractively aged patina. The shaft is very good with some mild crazing and a few scattered light handling marks.