65. Stanhope Erotic Cane
C. 1890 The dog head day cane features a well-modeled white metal greyhound head, distinguished by a lov- able, smart profile. The snout is flanked by two deeply set eyes extending into a compact skull topped with nicely falling, hanging ears, while the neck is long and adorned with a belt collar set at an angle. The modeling is lively and smooth, done to please the eye and, more importantly, with the comfort of the cane’s wearer in mind. The handle is set on a stepped malacca shaft distinguished by its ideal decreasing profile and an intense yellowish tint with a remarkable feel of age. It was fitted with a sturdy, quality iron ferrule, heeled with an angular spike. The clue is a provocative Stanhope in a peephole, buried in what appears to be eyelets, which adds tremendously to this cane's interest. The delicate lens unveils a vibrant tableau in the Victorian taste, where Venus stands elegantly against a bare tree trunk, a striking embodiment of beauty and grace. With a radiant flower delicately held in one hand and her flowing gown gracefully draped in the other, she exudes an enchanting allure. Her head is gently inclined, turned just slightly to the right, as if lost in a reverie of dreams, evoking a sense of romance that envelops the scene. It was said that, at the time, dubious press coverage claimed that the English preferred Stan- hopes with photos of calendars or banknotes, the Italians wanted religious imagery, and the French wanted more risqué fare. Reality is that erotic Stanhope engravings were popular everywhere, typically built into objects expected to remain within the circle of male viewers. Since they were so tiny, nobody else would have noticed them. This unique and sought-after cane possesses a special allure due to its association with multiple collect- ing fields which enhances its desirability. According to experts, it is widely believed that the cane has French origins and was likely custom-made for a wealthy individual during the Belle Époque period. His stylish and understated appearance enabled him to carry his cane wherever he went, and, when the moment was right, create a stir and become the center of attention. Today, hunting for erotic Stanhopes is addictive precisely because most of these lenses were designed to elude discovery. One final note: photographing Stanhopes is a challenging task. The tiny lens's 160 magnifying factor needs cutting-edge technology to achieve faultless results. Despite numerous attempts and considerable effort, we were unable to capture the photographs satisfactorily. In truth, when viewed with the naked eye, the image appears fairly sharp, only with minor flaws in the higher margins. H. 3” x 2 ½”, O.L. 35 ½”
$1,000-$1,500
134 - Continental Cane Collection Auction
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