August 18 & 19, 2020 Edged Weapons, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/18/2020
This beautifully inscribed gold-headed cane dates about 1895. The head is created of 2 pieces, seamed lengthwise, with foliate collar and separate endcap. Long, pointed arches rise on the neck from under the collar and the handle is covered with profuse raised floral scrolls, vines, leaves, and berries. The obverse of the head has a plain oval engraved: "Presented by the / Employees of the U.S. Indian Warehouse / as a token of esteem." The cap of the handle is engraved with a monogram that we would read as "TJB" or "TGB," but which a previous owner has noted an attached card as "DMB," and attributed to Daniel M. Browning, Commissioner of Indian Affairs 1893-1897. Browning was involved in the consolidation of the U.S. Indian Warehouses that were points of distribution under the Bureau of Indian Affairs, some of which were consolidated due to Congressional funding. The cane may thus be a more localized presentation from employees of one of these to a supervisor. In any case, this is a very elegant presentation that is at the same time involved with the U.S. government's fraught relationship with indigenous American peoples. CONDITION: Very good. Some slight staining along the seam lines of the head. Wear to the wood surface, especially towards the bottom of the cane. Slight verdigris on handle of cane. SR
Item Dimensions: Length: 36".