Silver Gilt and Jeweled Dress Cane

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Masterpiece Cane Auction 2026

By Kimball Sterling

Jan 3, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-01-03 11:00:00 2026-01-03 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Masterpiece Cane Auction 2026 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/kimball-sterling/masterpiece-cane-auction-2026-21759
Masterpiece Cane auction is all from a Europeon collection. We offer items from this private collection about once a year, Kimball Sterling kimballsterling@earthlink.net

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• Lot Description

  Ca. 1890

  Ca. 1890

  The long vermeil handle distinguishes itself with an attractive, stretched profile, a round collar, and a top. The seamless, linear-tapering body is engine-turned, with a wider, continuous central panel showing a tightly repeating brocade-like moiré silk pattern, framed on both sides by two integral, wider bands adorned with trailing roses. As if it was not enough, the creating artist further edged his knob with a matched pair of raised applied, slender bands suggestive of filigree laurel leaves. The top is slightly elevated and adorned by a larger, round, facetted, intense yellow citrine framed by an engine-turned, radiating ring.

  The craftsmanship is remarkable and ultimately grows increasingly notable with the “Minerve casquée” hallmark, marking the knob as French and made of 950/1000 purity precious metal fineness. Another diamond-shaped maker’s mark featuring “EF” is stamped on the lower collar. 

  Nothing fails to please in this tasteful knob, which comes on a richly hued tropical wood shaft with a subtle, decorative flamed structure, fitted with a well-matched long horn ferrule. 

  This cane celebrates French skills and aesthetics and distinguishes itself with a classy note and the timeless charm every collector’s soul loves. It has survived intact and still fascinates people now as it did 150 years ago.

  H. 3” x 1”, O.L. 38”

  $1.000-$1,500

   

  Engine turning, often called guilloché, like in the French language, is done with a machine called a rose engine or decoration lathe, which cuts grooves in geometric patterns. It was used to adorn the cases of pocket watches and other small items and to engrave printing plates for stock and bond certificates. Because the pattern is engraved, light reflection is enhanced, and its brilliance can be seen as the piece is moved from side to side. 

  The results are hypnotically rich. Though rarely seen today outside museums, the elaborate machines called rose engines developed in the heyday of engine turning are testimonials to ingenuity and highly inventive play.

  The name, as guilloché, is French and dates back at least to the 1770s. It is often said to be named after a French engineer, Guillot, who invented a turning machine. However, no dates or first name are provided for this shadowy figure, and many dictionaries seem suspicious of his existence.

  The best-known artist, but not the first, to use this technique was Fabergé, who, when showing pieces in Paris in 1900, brought a new interest to this practical method. Engine turning is delicate and requires sophisticated equipment and high skill; it was developed in the 18th century and died out after WWI.

  The craftsmanship is remarkable and ultimately grows increasingly notable with the “Minerve casquée” hallmark, marking the knob as French and made of 950/1000 purity precious metal fineness. Another diamond-shaped maker’s mark featuring “EF” is stamped on the lower collar. 

  Nothing fails to please in this tasteful knob, which comes on a richly hued tropical wood shaft with a subtle, decorative flamed structure, fitted with a well-matched long horn ferrule. 

  This cane celebrates French skills and aesthetics and distinguishes itself with a classy note and the timeless charm every collector’s soul loves. It has survived intact and still fascinates people now as it did 150 years ago.

  H. 3” x 1”, O.L. 38”

  $1.000-$1,500

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