Carriage Cane With Matching Ladies (8508)
I like carriage canes, and it’s got a more interesting handle than most. It was used by the wealthy to keep steady as they stepped down from thier carriages. The bronze handle with fire gilt is in mint condition. Fire gilt is a process of putting a gold finish on metal with heat. It’s different than gold filled, gold plate, and rolled gold plate, which were first used about 1850. Only pinchbeck and fire gilt were earlier. I don’t know how it’s done and I have never heard of anyone doing it today. All I know is it looks solid gold, keeps bronze, brass, and copper items from tarnishing, and is old and beautiful. The shaft is ebony, with a 4” original ferrule and is 44”; I think this one is French. The companion cane pictured is 32“and came with it. I think it was the wife’s, as it is the same age and style as the carriage one. Same ebony shaft, length of ferrule, and fire gilt handle. The shafts are definetely 18th century, I don't know the age of the handles yet, as I don't know if they are original. What do you think?
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Category: Gadget Sub Category: City - Manufactured
Listed: 2006-08-27 01:05:47
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