7. Lapis Lazuli and Cloisonné Enamel Cane Early 1900s Plain lapis lazuli ball and its long Shippo cloisonné enamel collar on a Makassar ebony shaft and a horn ferrule. The ball's blue color, with plenty of golden dust and a few whitish tufts, gives it the appear- ance of a celestial globe with sparkling stars and clouds, making this cane a heaven among walking sticks. The matching collar with flowers adds a touch of the Garden of Eden. Fortunately, it survived intact and is as attractive as on its first day. H. 3 ¼” x 1 ½”, OL. 38 ½”
$700 - $900
Lapis lazuli was always highly valued and reserved for the wealthy. In Mesopotamia, this blue stone symbolized the heavens and was used to deco- rate temple ceilings. In Egypt, it adorned statues of the gods, while in Europe, it was believed to cure melancholy and fever. Cloisonné is a method of enameling an object, usually made of copper, where fine wires are used to outline the decorative areas, known as cloisons in French, hence cloisonné. Enamel paste is applied within these areas before the object is fired and polished. The Japanese characters for the word shippo (the Japanese term for enamelware) mean “Seven Treasures,” referring to the seven treas- ures mentioned in Buddhist texts. While these treasures can vary, they typically include some of the following: gold, silver, emerald, coral, agate, lapis lazuli, giant clamshells, glass, and pearls. The Japanese applied this term to the vibrant colors found on Chinese enamelware and, later, to those produced in Japan.
Continental Cane Collection Auction - 19
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