Tortoiseshell and Bone Dress Cane

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Cane Auction- World Class

By Kimball Sterling

Oct 10, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-10-10 11:00:00 2020-10-10 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Cane Auction- World Class https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/kimball-sterling/cane-auction--world-class-5622
This is a European single owner collection with many fine canes from different categories, All are top-notch canes in fine condition. Kimball Sterling kimballsterling@earthlink.net

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• Lot Description
  Ca. 1900-Solid tortoiseshell handle fashioned in a massive square and tapering configuration with scooped sides and embellished with an adorable bone swallow, the head one side and twin tail on the other, cleverly insinuating a body that goes through the handle. While the tortoiseshell part is plain and shows the entire range of warm hues and magical translucencies of the noble material from the sea, the bone plumed bird distinguishes by its delicate engraving, dark inlay in the eyes and a dawn falling and long twin tail. It comes with a turned dark horn collar on a matching rosewood shaft and horn ferrule. The striking combination of noble materials, contrasting colors and motif make of this cane a first rate and desirable collectable. H. 7 ¼” x 1 ¼”, O.L. 40 ¾” Tortoiseshell canes were among the most expensive of their time. They were difficult to make, and few examples survived because of their excessive fragility. The carette turtle provided the best material for canes, and a tortoiseshell shaft required the largest six pieces of the 13 natural plaques of one, large turtle. The pieces had to come from a single animal, as each turtle had an individual, different grain. The lighter the color, the more appreciated the tortoiseshell. Paris specialized in tortoiseshell articles and had the best artists in that field. Today, the knowledge of handling tortoiseshell is totally lost. Tortoiseshell is an ornamental material obtained from the curved, horny shields forming the shell of the Hawksbill or of the Caretta turtle. The marbled, variegated pattern and deep translucence of the plates have been used in veneering and in the manufacture of jewelry and other items since ancient times. Tortoiseshell was imported to Rome from Egypt and has found many uses throughout the centuries from the time it was first introduced to Europe by the East India Company in the 17th century. Tortoiseshell work was raised to the level of artistry with design applications such as veneer over wood with bone and ebony trimmings, marquetry, lacquered versions and inlays with gilded flowers, gold or silver. It became popular in the East as well as in Europe, where it was used as a material for jewel cases, trays, snuffboxes, canes and other decorative articles. Tortoiseshell is first separated from the bony skeleton by heat; the shields are flattened by temperature and pressure, and irregularities are rasped away. It can be molded after being softened in boiling oil, shaped on a lathe and also takes a beautiful polish. The knowledge of handling this noble and beautiful material is now totally lost.
• Shipping Info

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    After payment has been received we will ship in-house the domestic orders, International bidders will be shipped by the UPS store (423-979-7122) and email store4146@theupsstore.com After we receive payment we will deliver to the UPS store and they will contact you.
     
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    After payment has been received and cleared we will deliver your items to the UPS Store and they will quote and prepare for shipping.phone (423-979-7122 and email store4146@theupsstore.com

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