C007 - Collector's item: a slim bent blackthorn rootknob cane.
Length 37.5 inches (95 cm)
Yet another stick "rescued" from a Shropshire antique shop.
This is a simple cane, bent from a slim blackthorn stem complete with a neat little root-knob emphasising the tip of the nose. On the handle, the thorns have been trimmed away and the resulting knots rounded over, providing a comfortable grip.
On the shank, however, the base of each thorn has been left on, so the stick
may have provided some protection for the original owner. The brass ferrule
(probably original) has a thick rounded steel tip, giving it almost the
appearance of a bullet.
The original dark coloured varnish was a bit dull, so I revived it with a lick
of Tru-Oil gunstock finish. Some work was also needed to straighten the shank.
However, it's now in fine fettle.
This stick is quite stiff and strong for its thickness (about 5/8 inch/ 15mm at the top of the shank). It offers some support, but should not be leaned on heavily. More for comfort and balance than anything else.
I would guess this is another example of a stick from about 1900 to 1920.
SOLD