Fashion walking canes
![fashion walking canes fashion walking canes](https://www.stickandcaneshop.co.uk/user/products/large/pic-01-4641J-Fashion-Derby-Adjustable-Walking-Stick-Tropicana-Parrot-1-Z.jpg)
However, there were many smaller, less famous design houses that produced exquisite work on walking sticks and canes in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, and these are well worth keeping an eye out for.
![fashion walking canes fashion walking canes](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81kei9YDYlL._SL1500_.jpg)
Some especially fine examples are found in the work of Faberge and Tiffany, and these are, of course, key pieces for collectors. Fortunately, their robust wood and metal construction means that many of them have survived to modern times. It was also bad manners to bring a cane into the presence of a king or similar ruler or head of state, probably because it was likely to contain a weapon.Ĭanes used as social signifiers tended to be ornately decorated and beautiful works of art. A gentleman could not carry his cane under an arm nor lean on it, thus tying one hand up in a similar manner to a modern ladies purse and signifying that he did not have to fetch and carry for himself. During this period, both the appearance of the cane and the way in which it was carried and used spoke volumes about the relative standing of its owner and his opinion of himself and the others around him. Social Statusĭuring their period of peak popularity, canes essentially ceased to be a useful tool and simply became an accessory. Some more intriguing devices were also included in canes, including a bicycle and, more commonly, spyglasses or telescopes. Canes containing muskets, poisons, darts and fishing rods were all patented at one stage or another. More commonly, though, men’s sticks concealed weapons, drugs or alcohol, with the infamous sword cane being only the most notable example. Men’s gadget sticks generally had a different purpose, though the fops of Regency England did have a penchant for their perfumes. The sticks that were designed to carry these, which often had filigree sections to allow an infused sponge to be inserted, were also used to disperse perfumes into the often smelly public environment a lady might find herself walking through. Rau Antiques notes that when ladies began to wear extremely tight lacing, sticks with vinaigrettes or smelling salts were often carried to revive them in case of fainting due to lack of oxygen.
![fashion walking canes fashion walking canes](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/fashion-history/images/orig/196647-848x565-Canes-and-Walking-Sticks.jpg)
However, their sticks often had additional uses. While the stick was a key male accessory during the entire period, as well as being popular for practical reasons before and after its epoch of fashion, certain eras saw its use burgeon among ladies too. That’s a period of 380 years, which means that there was plenty of time for several cycles of fashion and bodies of etiquette to arise, despite the natural longevity of the devices. From: Luis Vidal / FlickrĬollectors Weekly notes that the period of peak popularity for the fashion accessory was between 15. However, there was a time when no gentleman would be seen without his cane, and there is a wide range of attractive antique sticks and canes still available for collectors and history aficionados to collect. Those seen using walking sticks are likely to have suffered an accident or injury or to have an ongoing issue that causes walking to be difficult without support.