Gentlemans Antique Walking Cane - English Bulldog

A 19th century gentlemans walking cane or walking stick. The handle is a beautifully carved English bulldog head, made of mahogany. The colors and richness of the surface are spectacular and the carving a masterpiece indeed. Measuring 40” long with approx diameter of 3”.

For the collector of walking sticks or walking canes, there are two main periods of interest. One is the 17th and 18th centuries when walking canes donated wealth and importance. The other period is the 19th and early 20th centuries which was more a matter of fashion. By the late 19th century more than 30 London companies manufactured walking canes, parasols and similar items. The handle, the showpiece of the walking stick and were of many different materials. Ivory, gold, silver or porcelain was the cheif materials used in ealier times. In the 19th century a greater variety of materials was used including tortoiseshell, carved woods, enamels, ivory and steel. 

Malacca cane with a light brown shaft of a climbing palm was considered suitable for the day. A hardwood shaft ususually ebonized was chosen for the evening. The well to do had about a dozen walking sticks. Many women carried a light delicate cane as an accessory.