Title: Antique Walking Stick Shark Vertebrae Ship Bone Cane
Shipping: $39.00
Artist: N/A
Period: 19th Century
History: N/A
Origin: N/A
Condition: Museum Quality
Item Date: 1760 to 1900
Item ID: 3791
THIS IS A ANTIQUE VERTEBRAE CANE / WALKING STICK: Very old, this work is the art of ship crafts ! Made from shark vertebrae with a carved wooden handle with a mother of pearl inlayed handle. Sea Ray or Shark Vertebrae This cane is constructed from Vertebra [backbone] of some very large fish. It could be a Shark but my guess is a large Ray. It has a Iron tip. It is in very good shape fore this type of cane. There are some missing or broken vertebra and they are all tight. Cane has a lot of flex as all canes of this type do. It looks all-original and should date from the med 18 hundreds. It was common for Sailors to build this style of cane and then trade them off for Drinks or a Woman favors when they cane to shore. This walking cane looks to have a shaft constructed of 100 individual marine vertebrae, possibly Shark, all held together by an internal Iron rod base. (c.1800's) The mother of pearl carving in the handle is interesting & well done in a naively attractive manner & the wood has a beautiful dark patina that has been built up over many years of handling. Each of the graduated vertebrae are intact, combined with the handle reflect this items age. Probably made by a 19thC seaman as a way of passing time whilst at sea & given as a keepsake on his return to land. An unusual & exceptionally attractive piece for the collector that also remains functional & would display very well in any hall stickstand.
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_cane
A walking stick is a device used by many people to facilitate balancing whilst walking.
Walking sticks come in many shapes and sizes, and can be sought by collectors. Some kinds of walking stick may be used by people with disabilities as a crutch. The walking stick has also historically been known to be used as a defensive or offensive weapon, and may conceal a knife or sword as in a swordstick.
Walking sticks, also known as trekking poles, pilgrim's staffs, hiking poles or hiking sticks, are used by hikers for a wide variety of purposes: to clear spider webs, part thick bushes or grass obscuring the trail; as a support when going uphill or a brake when going downhill; as a balance point when crossing streams, swamps or other rough terrain; to feel for obstacles in the path; to test mud and puddles for depth; and as a defence against wild animals. A walking stick can be improvised from nearby felled wood. More ornate sticks are made for avid hikers, and are often adorned with small trinkets or medallions depicting "conquered" territory.
