Walking stick (2) - Wood

Two walking sticks described first: Antique walking stick with a “hook” handle (or semicircular), designed for both comfortable support and for easily hanging the cane on the arm when not in use. The Shaft (Staff): It has a dark, matte, and slightly textured finish, which contrasts sharply with the light, glossy Bakelite of the handle. At the junction point between the shaft and the handle, and again on the terminal tip of the hook, there are decorative inserts. They appear to be composed of alternating rings. In light Bakelite, finished with a rounded terminal knob. At the base, there is a modern protective rubber (added later for practical use and to prevent slipping), which very likely covers the original iron or brass tip. The wood used is beech. Place this object with good probability in the first half of the 20th century (between the 1920s and 1950s). Based on style and materials, the origin region is almost certainly European, with a very strong likelihood that this is Italian craftsmanship. In Italy, mountainous and hilly areas such as the Tuscan–Emilian Apennines, Veneto, or Piedmont boasted a great tradition of master artisans specialized in hot bending beech. Size: length 90 cm. Second: antique walking stick. It is a solid beech wood shaft skillfully stained. The Handle (Grip): features a curved shape resembling a bird’s beak or ergonomic “hook,” designed for a comfortable grip. It is made of a dark horn material (cow, buffalo, or ram). The collar between the handle and the wooden shaft includes a decorative silvered metal ring. This collar is finely engraved with ornamental volute motifs and classic stylistic reliefs. The stick ends with a reinforced metal ferrule, slightly worn by time, historically used to protect the wood from direct contact with the ground. Estimated Era: Late 19th Century – Early 20th Century (approx. 1880–1910) of French origin. Size: length: 87 cm.