Though they trace their roots further back in history, canes reached their peak popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries, becoming more than just a mobility tool, but rather a physical symbol of social and economic status. The grip of this example is of antique ivory and has been expertly relief carved in the shape of an arm with a ruffled cuff and a clenched fist, a symbol long associated with solidarity, unity, strength, and resistance. The grip is joined to the shaft with a plain silver band, below which is a brass escutcheon inscribed "PETER, LAVIGNE" on the shaft of lightly knobbed hardwood. The shaft is tipped with iron and a spike that likely was once the tang for a larger ferrule.

Fine, the grip showing an attractively aged tone with a few scattered very fine hairline age cracks. The silver and brass show an attractively aged patina. The shaft is also fine with some scattered light flaking and some scattered hairline age cracks, and some moderate chipping near the bottom. The iron shows mostly a smooth grey patina.