Bobs Stickmaking Pages - Collector's item #C042: an Anglo-Indian carved ebony walking cane/stick with elephant handle and ivory inlays


	C042 - Collector's item: An Anglo-Indian carved ebony walking cane/stick. The handle is in the form of a stylised elephant's head; the shank is decorated with barley-twist carving and inlaid ivory dots. In almost pristine condition! Approx. dimensions: Overall length 35.5" / 90cm Diameter of shaft 1" / 25mm, tapering down to 5/8"/15mm Medium weight.
This probably dates from around 1890 to 1910. Sticks of this type were often presented to British government officials serving in India, so there are quite a few of them about. However, the condition of this example is quite outstanding. Usually one expects to find splits in the ebony and possibly some damage to the handle. A tusk or two is often missing, along with some of the inlaid ivory dots. This one has miraculously escaped all such mishaps and appears to be as good as the day it was made. The previous owner told me it had belonged to his grandfather and had spent the past 50 years stowed away in the attic. Another stick from the same source provided evidence supporting this suggestion.



The white bits are all ivory. The black bits are all ebony, with the possible exception of the pupils of the elephant's eyes.The not-so-white tip of the stick is bone or antler.

The shank is dead straight and the handle fits comfortably in either hand. Altogether, you won't find a better example than this, and what's more it is still a very usable stick.
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