GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
VERY FINE COLLECTION OF 19TH CENTURY GOLD AND IVORY CANES.This collection consists of canes dating circa 1840 to 1890 which include 1) fine "sailor carved" whale bone and whale ivory "clenched fist" knob larger than normal, measuring just over 3 feet in length with tapered oct 6-1/2" whale bone and ivory shaft, 7/8" in diameter with two small diamond shaped escutcheons which would have held a lanyard, typical of pre-1850 walking sticks. Shaft taper further to long flutes and finely to smooth surface. The "certifiable antique whale ivory" knob which measures just over 2-3/4" wide and about 1-1/2" thick details fingers and thumb of left hand clenching a rod. 2) Fine whale ivory knob, on whale bone oct shaft tapering to rnd, with eight small ebony pin insets and larger ebony inset in "certifiable antique whale ivory" knob. 3) Interesting Victorian ivory and silver mounted cane with English silver proofs with floral ivory top, silver top with ivory unscrews to reveal a patented fold-up German silver wine bottle corkscrew. 4) Beautiful gold topped walking stick with presentation to "Mayor Sleeper from his Associates on the Committee on Streets, 1858". Mayor Sleeper most likely, John Sherburne Sleeper (1794-1878), Mayor of Roxbury, MA 1856-1858. He was also a sailor, novelist, journalist and politician. Tip is un-hallmarked but appears to be sheet gold, not plate. 5)-11) Seven Victorian, heavy gold layered gold topped canes with relief engraving. All in different forms and shapes, most with initials, names or dates and three with presentations that can be seen pictured on line. SIZE: CONDITION: 1) Very good to fine. Slight bend with age, patina, several hairline cracks in ivory top. Complete orig. 2) Very good to fine. Patina. Missing one of the small ebony insets in carved oct shaft. 3) Shaft has newer copper tip, large crack and ivory cylinder top. Head slightly askew. As noted, ivory button on top appears re-glued and is possible addition though floral, it is not in-suite to other carved floral decoration. There are two indiscernible silver hallmarks that are partially discernible. 4) Very good to fine overall. Good hand worn patina to wooden shaft, several dings and dents to gold cap that do not affect aesthetics. 5)-11) Very good to fine overall. 49642-6 JS (3,000-5,000) IVORY