88. Hard Stone Dress Cane
Ca. 1900 This distinguished French dress cane features a smooth, polished sardonyx ball knob with striking natural banding and crisp, stacked layers of black and white that reveal the stone’s inherent character. The finely tooled, two-tone metal collar offers a refined transition to a richly hued tropical-wood shaft, notable for its tight grain and beautifully aged surface. A horn ferrule completes the piece, un- derscoring its quality and its status as a high-end decorative ac- cessory of the period. Treasured since antiquity, sardonyx has been valued for over 4,000 years. In ancient Egypt and throughout the classical world, its dis- tinct layers made it ideal for cameos and intaglios. Roman women famously wore sardonyx cameos of Venus, hoping to draw on the goddess’s powers of love and charm. At the same time, soldiers carried carvings of Mars for courage and protection in battle. The stone’s smooth surface and resistance to hot wax also made it a preferred material for seals and signet rings, lending authority and authenticity to official documents. In this cane, the long heritage of sardonyx craftsmanship con- verges with the refined taste of turn-of-the-century France, result- ing in an object that is both an elegant adornment and a quiet echo of ancient traditions. H. 1 ½ in. × 2 ¼ in., O.L. 37 ¾ in.
$200-$300
Across civilizations, natural stones have held meanings that long predate scientific study, with their colors and layered beauty shap- ing beliefs about life, power, and protection. From ancient amulets to modern jewelry, they have served as lasting symbols of perma- nence in a fleeting world. Even today, their presence echoes with the same quiet authority, creating a timeless dialogue between human skill and the Earth itself. The ancestral power of amulets, talismans, and mascots has existed since the first humans and will continue to exist until the last.
Continental Cane Collection Auction - 181
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