72. Relic Cane of St François Xavier, Île de Sancian Dated 1867 Simple cane of modest appearance, with a plain marine tooth knob and a shaft of what seems to be oak, fitted with a brass ferrule. Yet its simplicity hides a quiet distinction: an engraving at the top that reads: St FRANÇOIS XAVIER (separated by an Ignatian cross) ÎLE DE SANCIAN, 1867. The cane’s surface tells of years of use, tempered by care, as the ivory knob shows the soft polish of continuous devotion rather than the scars of neglect. It is the engraving that unlocks its true story, elevating this humble stick to something far more than an accessory: a silent witness to a journey of faith spanning the seas from France to China and back, some 150 years ago. The engraving, of the finest workmanship, attests to the skill of a master hand and to the care bestowed upon this remarkable piece. Whether it accompanied a pilgrim, belonged to a missionary, or was com- missioned by a devotee, we may never know. Yet in its worn, gleaming knob and steadfast oak, the cane preserves a trace of sacred history, a relic of de- votion, blessed with the holy Ignatian cross, quietly resonant with the spirit of Saint Francis Xavier himself. H. ¾” x 1”, O.L. 35 ¼”7
$500-$700
The reference to St François Xavier, Île de Sancian recalls a poignant episode in missionary history. Saint Francis Xavier (1506–1552), one of the founding members of the Jesuit order and a tireless missionary, died on the small is- land of Sancian (today Shangchuan Island, off the southern coast of China) on December 3, 1552. He had been awaiting permission to enter mainland China to continue his evangelical work when he fell ill and passed away in a humble hut on the island. Over the centuries, Sancian became a site of veneration for Catholics, par- ticularly Jesuits, as the place where Francis Xavier’s earthly mission ended. Commemorative visits and dedications, such as the 1867 inscription on the knob, likely reflect later pilgrimages or Jesuit presence there during renewed missionary activity in the 19th century, when the island and its saint’s memory remained potent symbols of faith and perseverance. Saint François Xavier, a celebrated companion of St. Ignatius of Loyola, is honored on December 3rd. St. Ignatius founded a religious brotherhood in Paris in 1534, the Society of Jesus (commonly known as the Jesuits), which received official papal recognition in 1540. The Jesuits later played a leading role in modernizing the Roman Catholic Church.
148 - Continental Cane Collection Auction
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