Lot 157A
Western Europe, England, Victorian era, ca. 19th century CE. A spectacular and magical looking gadget cane handle, made from high quality gilt-silver, with three projecting goat heads holding bells and a pierced floral motif, emeralds, pearls and a large, faceted amethyst. This so called "gadget cane" served the dual purpose of walking stick and providing a hidden compartment for storing items - the amethyst is the top of a hinged lid, opening to a small compartment that extends about 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) into the cylindrical handle. The handle served as an etui for snuff, perfume, sewing tools, or other small and discretely necessary items. The metal is ornately stamped, molded, and pierced to create vertical registers of pierced floral motifs, granulated spheres, and filigree - not to mention the settings containing precious stones and pearls! Size: 5" L x 1" W (12.7 cm x 2.5 cm); silver quality: 88% to 95%; gold quality 2% to 3%. Weight: 121.5 grams
Along the socket rim are 3 maker or hallmark stamps that are indiscernible without magnification and are still largely indiscernible. The first appears to be a seated woman in profile, but is very rubbed and it is uncertain if it is indeed a woman or another figure. The middle mark is a clear "NA" within an oval. The last is "AN" with what appears to be a vertical torch between the letters.
Provenance: private R. W. collection, South Amboy, New Jersey, USA, acquired in July 2019; ex-Auctions at Showplace, New York, New York, USA
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#188073
- Condition: Missing a floral oval metal piece just between the goat heads. Missing 3 emerald inlays, and some small nicks and abrasions to the rest. Three faint and indiscernible (without magnification) maker and hallmark stamps on the socket rim. Fading to gilt. Overall great condition and any imperfections are not readily noticeable. The amethyst lid easily opens to reveal a hidden chamber. This could probably be mounted on a cane.
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