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AEDTwo Continental Memento Mori Walking Sticks
About Seller
300 20th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
United States
Witherell’s auction house is a family business rooted in a passion for fine art and antiques, based in Sacramento, a region known for its history and its important 20th century art scene. It all started when Brad Witherell was gifted a Civil War-era Henry rifle from his uncle as a teen, spurring his...Read more
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Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
About Auction
LiveOct 29, 2026
Witherell's Live Luxury Asset Auction, October 29, 2026, from the Sutter Club, Sacramento. 363 lots: Warhol's $9, a Peale portrait, a Stone Declaration of Independence, Rolex, gold, fine jewelry, California baskets and more. Witherell Auctions Brian@witherell.com
View Full Catalog (363)
- Lot Description
A pair of Continental memento mori walking sticks illustrating two distinct interpretations of one of Europe’s most enduring artistic themes. The first, Germany, circa 1800, is mounted on a natural twig-form shaft and surmounted by a finely carved bone skull with articulated lower jaw and carved bone vertebral neck rising from a horn collar. The second, France, circa 1900, features a polychromed carved wood handle as a bearded gentleman whose face transforms into a skull beneath a sweeping horn hat that forms the grip, symbolizing the duality of life and death. Together these canes embody the philosophical and artistic traditions of the memento mori, serving as reminders of human mortality. Both are illustrated in Vertical Art: The Enduring Beauty of Antique Canes and Walking Sticks as Figure 58 (p. 74) and Figure 79.
Dimensions: Cane 1: 1.75 x 2 x 50 in. Cane 2: 1 x 5 x 37 in.
Shipping: Free Sacramento pickup. Shipping via FedEx within the continental U.S. for $80 plus 1.5% insurance (unless waived in writing).
Condition
Both canes are in good antique condition with expected age-related wear. The articulated jaw of the German cane operates as intended. Minor wear, age cracks, and small losses consistent with age.
- Provenance
Both canes are in good antique condition with expected age-related wear. The articulated jaw of the German cane operates as intended. Minor wear, age cracks, and small losses consistent with age.
- Shipping Info
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Shipping is only in continental U.S. and information regarding shipping price is provided within the description of each lot. For international and larger items that we cannot ship in house, please take a look at our shipping contacts.
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