Antique Greyhound Walking Cane – Hand-Carved Horn Handle with Glass Eyes – Silvered Repoussé Collar - ca 1900 A fine example of an antique turn-of-the-century walking stick, perfect for collectors of canine-themed victoriana or folk art. The highlight of this piece is the masterfully carved horn handle, shaped into the head of a Greyhound. The carver has captured the sleek, elegant lines of the breed, enhanced by a pair of striking blue glass eyes that give the piece a soulful expression. The horn possesses a rich, honey-colored patina with natural dark graining. The handle is mounted onto a robust, naturalistic hardwood shaft via a decorative metal collar featuring intricate floral engravings. The shaft’s "knobby" texture adds a wonderful tactile element and a sturdy feel, terminating in its original metal ferrule. In the late 19th century, the Greyhound was the ultimate symbol of the European aristocracy—representing speed, fidelity, and the noble pursuit of the hunt. Walking sticks featuring these "noble hounds" were favored by gentlemen who wished to signal their affinity for the sporting life and the countryside. The Sculpture: The handle is a tour-de-force of horn-carving. Unlike wood, horn requires immense patience and heat-shaping techniques. The artist has utilized the natural grain of the horn to mimic the sleek musculature of a Whippet’s muzzle. Horn is an organic protein-based material susceptible to "desiccation" (drying out) and pests. This specimen has been exceptionally well-preserved, retaining its structural integrity and the fragile glass eye inserts. The Gaze: The inclusion of hand-blown blue glass eyes is a hallmark of high-quality "System Canes" of the 1890s. These "living eyes" were designed to catch the candlelight in Victorian drawing rooms, giving the cane a lifelike, soulful presence. The Shaft: Crafted from a rare, knotted hardwood (likely Blackthorn), chosen for its "nodes." In Victorian etiquette, a knobby, naturalistic shaft was considered a "rustic-elegant" style, perfect for a gentleman's morning stroll in the park or at a country estate. Specifications: • Origin: Western Europe (likely Great Britain) • Date: Circa 1890–1905 • Materials: Natural Horn, Hand-Blown Glass, Repoussé Metal, Stained Hardwood Condition: The cane is in good antique condition, showing an authentic patina of age. Handle: There is a small, stable age-related chip/crack on the underside of the "jaw/neck" area and some wear/slight damage to the ears, consistent with a century of use, but the carving remains sharp and the glass eyes are intact. Shaft: Strong and straight with no structural breaks. The original finish shows some thinning and "alligatoring" which adds to its antique charm. Tip: Fitted with an original bi-metal/steel ferrule, showing heavy wear but remaining fully functional. Dimensions: • Total Length: 85 cm • Handle Width: 9 cm • Shaft width: 2 cm • Weight: 290g Insured shipping with tracking in a rigid tube to ensure safe arrival.