Figural Hard Stone Cane

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Masterpiece Cane Auction

By Kimball Sterling

May 24, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-05-24 11:00:00 2025-05-24 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Masterpiece Cane Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/kimball-sterling/masterpiece-cane-auction-19479
A European Masterpiece Cane Auction Kimball Sterling kimballsterling@earthlink.net

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• Lot Description
  Ca 1900 Fashioned of a single piece of pale citrine the handle is wheel cut to depict a Dachshund seated on a plain and oval Milord knob-like base. The posture of the eye-catching canine carrying himself on short front legs is typical for the breed and exposes a strong protruding sternum. Its elongated head with an intelligent and friendly expression has a slight convex skull, arched eyebrows and long muzzle flanked by a pair of hanging ears. The short and curving tail clearly seen on the side brings characterizing appeal to the dachshund, while tiny dark inlay in the eyes and a braided wheat rope golden chain with a little pearl charm around its neck adds to its loving character. A frosted surface imparts the look of a short fur, and, in contrast to the integral and polished cold base, gives it a warmer and softer touch. The quality of the knob is acknowledged by a finely engraved 18 karat yellow gold collar with twin rings at both ends and a well figured snake wood shaft with a gilt metal and steel ferrule. This desirable cane, where function meets beauty, demonstrates a level of quality and elaboration that could only be afforded by the wealthiest patrons. It has obviously seen careful handling and is in flawless and original condition. It is representative of the great wealth of the golden days and redefines the rich Russian taste with the distinctive, gentle note of the French Capital. The industrial revolution facilitated use of lapidary arts to create figural semiprecious hardstone handles and knobs and these were sold in the finest jewelry stores of world capitals. The best-known artist, but not the first using this technique, was Fabergé, who, when showing pieces in Paris in 1900, brought a new interest to these items. They fall today under the general denomination of Objects of Vertu, which roughly translates as precious objects standing for excellence. H. 2 ¾” x 1 ¼”, O.L. 36 ¼” $2,500-$3,500 Objects of vertu are small objects created from precious materials either to be admired simply as works of art or, more often, initially conceived for a practical purpose such as snuff boxes, cigarette cases, scent bottles, fans, cane handles and knobs and other similar articles of beauty and adornment. These are characterized by their inventiveness, these jewel-like pieces were produced by talented bijoutiers, or craftsmen in the main centers of production all over Europe, among them Paris, Berlin, London, and Geneva. Citrine is a transparent variety of quartz with a yellow to orange color. Its attractive tint, high clarity, affordable price and durability make it a frequently purchased gem. Due to their warm colors, citrine stones evoke images of warmth, sun and illumination. As a result, the stones have been symbols of romance, positivity and happiness for hundreds of years. More recently, and perhaps in large part because of the origins of its name, the citrus- colored gemstone has become a symbol of vitality, freshness, new beginnings, mental clarity and emotional well-being. Citrine has been referred to as the “merchant's stone” or “money stone”, due to a superstition that it would bring prosperity. Citrine is also a modern birthstone for the month of November. This designation contributes to its popularity and drives a large number of sales. Piratinera Guianensis or snake wood belongs to the family of Moraceae and originates in tropical South America. It is a truly exotic species and probably one of the most difficult woods to find. Typically, it is a very small tree, and only shows the wonderful reddish brown heartwood with speckles of black appearing as hieroglyphics or snakeskin markings in a small quantity of the wood, and then rarely evenly spread across the entire face of the board. Its markings, which resemble those of a snakeskin, give this small, relatively rare timber its name. Snake wood is dense, extremely heavy and hard, brittle and splits easily. It becomes very smooth when finished and has natural polish.
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