87. Silver Horse Head Cane
Ca. 1900 A large silver crook handle, crafted in a classic style, features a simple, well-balanced body ending in a horse's head with a halter and a bit. The downward-facing portrait showcases beautiful features, including large eyes, flared nostrils, and a flowing mane that extends onto the hand rest, emphasizing its equine beauty. The halter is well-defined and adorned with jeweled applications, indicating a festive harness. The handle is stamped with two obscured silver hallmarks; the outlines on the hand are likely Austro-Hungarian. It has a fruitwood shaft with a partly flamed texture and a smooth, neutral brown color with greenish hues, complemented by a metal ferrule. Obviously used but not abused, this cane has survived in good condition and only needs a surface refresh. Despite being over a century old, it can still add a remarkable touch to a racecourse visit, or a simple stroll downtown or to a displayed collection. H. 4 ¾” x 4 ¾”, O.L. 34 ½”
$300 - $500
The human fascination with the horse is at least as old as the art of painting itself, as evidenced by prehistoric cave paintings of wild horses. That fascination has endured to the present day. The horse appears repeatedly in art, from mythological figures such as the Centaur, Pegasus, and Unicorn to the masterful depictions of Velázquez, Rubens, and George Stubbs. This enduring presence reflects the horse's central role throughout history, as a means of transport, an agricultural resource, a companion in sport and hunting, and a partici- pant in warfare. Before the advent of the motor car, a gentleman’s status could be measured by the quality of his horses, carriages, and grooms. And just as those horses reflected the discern- ment and elegance of their original owner, a finely crafted cane today can reveal the collector’s own eye for history, artistry, and distinction.
178 - Continental Cane Collection Auction
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