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History of Walking Sticks / Canes
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Walking sticks have existed in one form or another
since the first Homo sapiens used branches for support over rough
terrain and for defense. The word cane comes from ancient times
when the shafts of most canes were constructed of bamboo. Cane became
the most widely used material to make walking sticks, evolving later
into the generic name for the product.
During the 16th century the walking stick was widely accepted as
an accessory of elegance and social prominence. It was used by the
aristocracy of Europe and the gentlemen of the 18th and 19th centuries.
In 18th century France, the walking stick was a requisite of the
fashionable dress. The 19th century was the hey-day for walking
sticks in Europe and America finding the fashionable American gentleman
in possession of several canes for different occasions. Tiffany
and Faberge made them along with all the important porcelain houses,
craftsmen and seamen. During the 20th century the cane lost its
popularity among the well-dressed and came to be used by those whose
age and health required them or hikers and climbers.
But in the 21st century the walking stick is rapidly re-gaining
popularity. Forget function, walking sticks and canes are enjoying
resurgence among collectors who cherish their designs and history.
Collectors scour the world for ethnic sticks reflecting ones culture
or race, hand made canes by woodworkers deciphering their sticks
with intricate hand carvings, hand painted canes, canes printed
with flowers and animals, artistic staffs topped with handles of
gold, silver, porcelain, wood and ivory. Serious collectors bid
on canes at auction. Faberge-headed canes have sold for $15,000
to $17,000; the cane carried by P. T. Barnum was sold for over $125,000
and a French cane encrusted with gold and diamonds was sold for
$60,000.
We hear quite often of collectors purchasing walking canes once
owned by royalty or celebrities. According to Entertainment Weekly
(August 25, 2006), the first thing Hugh Laurie did when he learned
he'd won the lead role in House was go shopping for a cane. He found
the perfect one in a little shop in London. It was made out of rare
Malaysian wood and had beautiful ivory rings and a gorgeous horn
handle. Although it was politically incorrect, it called to him
and he knew it was “the one”. Unfortunately it was broken
by a hydraulic door and a replica purchased. It was sold at auction
for $8,300. The cane used during the second season was sold for
$6,350.
Henry III, Louis XIII and President Washing collected canes. These
days many are addicted. Many cane collections are passed down from
generation to generation and along with it, in many cases, the collecting
passion. The good news: one can start a collection of sticks easily
and relatively inexpensively.
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