1694 was quite an eventful year. On 27th July the Bank of England was founded through Royal Charter and resulted in the first ever Government debt. It was the year of the Great Fire of Warwick and the year Queen Mary II of England died of smallpox leaving William III to rule alone.
It was also the year that this fine walking cane was made. 2014 is the year it was discovered and the year it will come up for auction next week, (July 23rd).
The top or pommel as is the correct term is carved from a block of ivory and tiny dots of silver have been meticulously set into it to create the date ‘1694’, a decorative border and owner’s initials. The shaft is Malacca. It is not known who the original lucky owner of this walking cane was but whoever he was he would have been of some stature. You can see and feel where his hand held the cane which has resulted in a very smooth and polished appearance. It’s like stepping back in time to a bygone age.
Estimated to fetch £800-900, it will appear as Lot 510 in Richard Winterton’s three-day Antiques, Home & Interiors Sale on 23rd July in Lichfield. ITV’s ‘Dickinson’s Real Deal’ will be on site filming the sale. The preview is Monday 21st July from 4pm-7pm and sale days from 8.30am. Please phone 01543 251081 for further details or visit www.richardwinterton.co.uk