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ANTIQUES 039
STICKING POWER
Walking canes became popular fashion accessories in the 17th century and are now highly sought-after
Jennie Buist Brown
n the late 1960s, when I was a very little girl, I was allowed to watch the third TV series of The Avengers in which John Steed (Patrick Macnee), an urbane, gentleman spy, and his adventurous partner Emma Peel (Diana Rigg) repeatedly saved the world from evildoers. In the show Steed always carried an umbrella that cleverly concealed a sword and, when not using it to vanquish foes, he used his umbrella much like a cane or walking stick, which suited his city gent apparel of overcoat and bowler hat. Antique walking sticks can be divided
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into three basic types: decorative, system or gadget, and folk art.
Decorative sticks were fashion accessories and their function was purely aesthetic and designed to show off the wealth, power and social status of the owner. Sticks in this category were finely and elaborately designed with tops made from ivory, gold, silver, porcelain or precious jewels. Between 1550 and 1930, decorative canes and sticks were accessories that ladies or gentlemen would never leave the house without. They weren’t intended to be used
for any practical purpose but were purely “worn” as fashion accessories.
System or gadget sticks – my personal favourites – served a dual or hidden purpose and became popular in the 19th century and finally fell out of favour around 1930. Steed’s trusty umbrella (though not a stick) falls into the gadget category with its hidden sword. During their popularity more than 1,500
patents were applied for, ranging from sticks to hold whisky flasks or perfume bottles, fishing pole sticks, sword sticks and physicians’ sticks which held secret stashes of medicines. These gadget sticks weren’t designed to be beautiful so tend not to be made with the same lavish materials as decorative sticks, however, they command high prices at auction with most selling now for more than £1,000.
Folk art sticks – made by artisans often working alone and not usually formally trained – make up some of the most beautiful and tend to be made from wood, horn or bone. Some are carved from top to bottom, some only on the handle. They are now widely sought-after and also command high prices at auction.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London The cane game
When it comes to collecting, the earliest canes dating from the early 18th century are scarce but pique canes made by Huguenot craftsmen can still be found with their large ivory handles and silver collars mounted on Malacca shafts. They sell for high prices at auction, as do other canes from era. The industrial revolution of the 19th century meant that sticks could be made much faster and much less expensively. At the beginning of the 20th century there were 265 cane manufacturers in the UK – 100 specialising in making handles alone. So it makes sense that most of the sticks available to collectors come from this period. Silver topped canes are still readily available, as are canes with carved or silver animal heads – I particularly like canes topped with dog heads. Look out for them at flea markets, boot fairs and auctions. They make a wonderful decorative feature when displayed together.
Oh, and if you do decide to become a collector, you’ll be known as a rabologist!
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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