VICTORIAN CARVED BONE DOG HEAD OVER EBONIZED CANE

Probably English circa late 19th century

35 3/8" H x 1 7/8" W

A very beautifully carved and fully expressed cane handle portrait of a retriever, the carving is fluid and finely executed. The personality of the dog comes through in its highly alert sense of attentiveness, soft eyes, strong muzzle and tongue hanging just slightly from the open mouth. The flowing hair of the dog moves naturalistically through the floppy ears and full neck raised over a smooth belted collar. The warm toned organic material, perhaps bone or a similar material, shows the subtle toning of age and rubbing relief of more than a century of being handled. The ebonized shaft tapers to terminate in a brass cap. A most charming piece.

Condition: Rubbing and wear to the carved head with minor losses and rubbing to the carvings. Trace wear to the ebonized shaft, this likely having been refinished in the 20th century. Striations of grain and hairline shrinkage cracks.

ref. 503WRP05L