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19th Century English Folk Art Gentleman’s Cane
About the Item
19th Century English Folk Art Gentleman’s Cane
A rare and quite special example of a 19th Century folk art English gentleman’s walking cane with a hidden surprise. Made from a single piece of ebonised cane, with metal tip. The shaft is quite special and rare as it’s made from African originated natural horn material which has been carved into the head of Dr Syntax. This example would have been carried by a very well to do gentleman in the mid-19th century, not only used for style when walking, but also for protections from thieves and muggers down dark alleyways and around London. The cane comes apart in 2 pieces as shown and is in wonderful condition considering its age and obvious use.
Who is the world’s first cartoon character, the ultimate ancestor of everyone from Superman to Popeye?
It is generally agreed that the honour goes to Dr Syntax, created by the artist Thomas Rowlandson and the writer William Combe in 1809. The direct inspiration for Syntax was a skeletal priest, the Reverend Ralph Baron, whom Rowlandson had seen deliver a dull sermon in St Breward’s Church in Cornwall. Baron was a thin, old, shrivelled-up walking corpse – so thin and so shrivelled it was as though there was not a drop of blood running in his veins. It was as if his bones were his flesh. He had a jutting chin, and a prominent nose, and with just a tiny amount of caricature from Rowlandson his profile would be a crescent moon.
To this appearance, Rowlandson added the traits of a cleric and schoolmaster called William Gilpin, famous for travelling around the country, and making notes about the picturesque scenes he encountered. So, Rowlandson created a picturesque tour of his own, showing Syntax suffering all sorts of mishaps along the way: held up by thieves, chased by a bull, falling into a river. Rowlandson produced one or two pictures a month showing such misadventures, which were passed to Combe, who was then in debtors’ prison. Combe provided a poetic commentary, for publication in The Poetical Magazine.
Dimensions in inches: H 32” x W 1.25” x D 1.5”
Age: Mid-19th Century
Origin: English
Condition: Aged
Aged wear and tear across all the surfaces due to obvious use over the years. Areas of worn surface include loss of detail on the hand carved shaft section, a light split to the metal tip. This item is close to 150 years old so please expect natural and small imperfections as shown. With a lovely natural deep patina across all surfaces. Natural aged wooden cracks across the surfaces, Firm in form and in one piece.
We strongly suggest reviewing all the photos provided as part of this advert and propose questions where sections are unclear to avoid disappointment upon purchase. A direct message usually takes 24 hours to answer.
For multiple years we have sold antique items globally, please expect our items to show relevant age and natural wear, Items only restored due to breaks and major loss, and we always stipulate this in our condition report.
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
- Style:Folk Art (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1850
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4304238277742
About the Seller
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- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
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