Stag Horn Satirical Umbrella

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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. 1850 The handle consists of a single piece of stag horn naturally grown at an angle and carved to depict a man with a long nose out of proportion. The essence of the head is exaggerated and distorted to create an easily identifiable visual likeness and emphasized by a dark, age-grown patina. The face is livened up with inset two-colored glass eyes, while the open mouth conveys a surprised expression on one side and a smile on the opposite. The natural and pearly rose of the horn is engraved with three adjacent leaves and gives the impression of a flat hat, while the naturally rugged vertical stem has been smoothened and polished at the top to look like a striped shirt with a collar. The umbrella itself lost its canopy, while all the other parts are still available and in good working condition. The bamboo shaft is fitted with a blackened brass runner, round steel stretchers, and long and square baleen ribs ending with integral turned tips. Both the bottom and top steel wire springs are intact and function well. The cap and ferrule are brass. The expensive and labor-intensive baleen runners, last used and replaced with steel around 1860, helped date the umbrella to circa 1850. Although the highly knowledgeable prior owner was clear about its sailor-made, American origin, based on its construction design and relatively wide canopy span, we tend to a Southern German source and possibly associated with a Semitic background. Notably, umbrellas from that period were costly and affordable for very few. They were seen as investments, with an expectation of lasting for several generations. Like canes, they are much sought after and collectibles on their own, and are exhibited in several museums. H. 4” x 3 ½”, O.L. 36 ¼” $400-$500 The bony substance from the mouths of whales, known as baleen, is formed of keratin, like human hair and nails. It hangs in long, parallel sheets from the upper jaws of the blue, right, and minke whales, as well as other lesser-known species. Its hairy fringe filters food from seawater. Dried out, baleen’s strength and flexibility made it ideal for buggy whips, corset busks, and umbrella ribs before the advent of plastic. A whale’s bone could be worth more than its oil.
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