Starting in the 16th century, canes and walking sticks became extremely popular, first among royalty and nobility, and by the 19th and 20th centuries having worked their way down to the middle classes as a symbol of status. This example represents a popular form of entertainment from the period, with the grip carved in the form of Pierrot, a sad clown character that was prominent in pantomime performances. Parts of the relief carved antique ivory grip have been accented with black enamel to create contrast. It is joined to the shaft with an antique ivory collar and the shaft is of smooth snakewood tipped with a German silver and iron ferrule. It measures 35 1/2 inches overall. Provenance: Laurence Jantzen Le Louvre des Antiquaires; The Larry Mattson Collection