-Ca. 1890 -Long and tapering vermeil cane handle delicately engine turned over its entire surface with a repeating brocade-like pattern and dots, embellished at the top with an engraved laurel leave framing band and on the body with applied flower garlands, flower arrangements and knotted ribbons. The handle, which starts oval at the top to end round at the bottom, is framed at both ends with identical meander bands and struck with the French, state guarantee, Minerve hallmark for silver as well as unidentified makers mark with an “A” and “S” and, what seems to be a canine. Dark, almost black and flamed tropical wood shaft and a matching horn ferrule. -Nothing fails to please in this tasteful mascot cane, which sports several features unique to Cazal, the reputed cane and parasol maker from Paris. In any case, it is a celebration of French skills and aesthetics and distinguishes with the timeless charm every collector’s soul love. -H. 4 ¼” x 1”, O.L. 39” -$700-$900 -After a transitional period of economic impoverishment following the Napoleonic wars of the beginning 19th century, Europe and particularly France quickly regained prosperity. With the growing bourgeoisie and a never before seen social revival, the demand for gallantry items, including canes and parasols, must have been enormous as the major capitals saw the appearance of fabulous retailers with Cazal as a leader in Paris. Well known for his elegant accessories and one-of-a-kind canes and umbrellas M. Cazal was indeed a famous French manufacturer who exhibited at the Great Exhibition and created parasols for Empress Eugenie. He patented a spring for parasols in France 1839, which are found in most Cazal parasols. Cazal also wrote a book titled Umbrellas, Parasols and Walkingsticks in 1844, -Vermeil (pronounced vehr-MAY), also known as silver gilt, is a combination of sterling silver, gold, and other precious metals. It is commonly used as a component in jewelry. A typical example is sterling silver coated with 14-karat gold. To be considered vermeil, the gold must also be at least 10-karat and at least 1,5 micrometers thick. Sterling silver covered with another metal cannot be called vermeil. Vermeil can be produced by either fire-gilding or electrolysis. The original fire-gilding process was developed in France in the mid-1700s; however, France later banned the production of vermeil because over time artisans developed blindness due to mercury involved in the process. Today, vermeil is safely produced by electrolysis. -The White House has a collection of vermeil tableware kept on display (when not in use) in the Vermeil Room.