A Paint-Decorated Cane, Newburyport, MA

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/24/2024

Accompanying old inventory tag (now missing) stated: "historic cane made of blocks of wood, 635 letters and figures"; the 4" whalebone handle is carved with a hand and designs. The top has a mother of pearl dot; the handle is inscribed "This cane made by John Burke 1894." There is another inscription on the handle which likely refers to where William Burke had acquired the handle: "In use at Dover, New Hampshire 1820." The shaft is made of 30 separate square pieces of wood each with its dated age and description of its origin. Some examples are "Brig Pocahontas 1839, Plum Island Station 1840," Poor tavern, Newbury 1640," USS Constitution 1797," "William Lloyd Garrison 1744" (the famous Abolitionist's home). 35-1/4" L Provenance: Property from the Estate of Marjorie and Robert L. Hirschhorn.