Carved Walking Stick

Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane

Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane

Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane
Very beautiful and rare object and a real window into the past. 81cm in length and about 170g. Charming and honest with its history skilfully but naively scratch carved all over it. I'm going with elm but that's just an educated guess looking at the colour of the handle. Items of folk art like this allow us a glimpse into the past and lives of our ancestors and they are rare survivors. It's our equivalent of Tribal Art and you can make comparisons to the Pacific Island fighting clubs from Figi and Tonga etc or the African Knobkerrie. Like the the prized items of tribal art that are made for the tribe and not for the tourist industry so is it for this item of folk art, it is simply but skilfully made with basic tools, probably by candle light or sitting under an old oak tree taking some time out. In this particular instance the original owner of this stick has carved everyday items and leisurely pastimes. It's a fascinating piece of social history and really captivating.

It's astonishing to think of the hours of work that's gone into all the carvings. No doubt the stick was sourced and shaped by the original owner and over a period of time all these scratch carvings wrought depicting aspects of his life. Hobbies and pastimes of an agricultural life in the countryside. As you can see in the pictures there are primitively carved images of sheep shears, wine goblets, pitchers, game birds, catapult, clay smoking pipe, shepherds crook, kettle, candle, wick scissors/snuff, hand saw, machete, knife, more birds, fish, animals, either sheep or dogs. Because of the carved sheers, i think it almost certainly belonged to a farmer/shepherd.

It's the simplicity, honesty and naivety of this rare object that makes it so special. The simplicity and primitive scratch carvings help to date this object. Also the subjects themselves help to date it. The style of some of the objects, such as the goblet are clearly 18th century. The teapot/kettle which is globular in form looks mid 18th century. A very rare and highly desirable piece of folk art that speaks to us directly from history. It really should be in a museum. This could have always been in this area but it has a quality to it that makes me think it may be Welsh but i would defer to experts in this type of folk art who may know more. I can only give details as i see them.

I do know it's a rare object indeed and i also know it's appeal will stretch far and wide to collectors of folk art all over the world. Check out my other listings, there's 2 stunning Irish Blackthorn Walking Stick/Canes both Antique/Victorian or earlier. One of the images shows all 3 sticks together. Lots of images to look at so please zoom in to see all the beautiful scratch carved pictures.

It's one of the most beautiful i have handled and listed and one i would happily keep if i could. Please study all the images very carefully as they form an important part of the description. Items are always packaged extremely carefully. Please DO NOT open a "case" or report an item not as described.

Do not leave low DSR scores, negative or neutral feedback. If you would like to return an item or feel an item is not as described, just CONTACT ME FIRST and let me know. I will make it right every time.


Antique 18th Century Rare Folk Art Scratch Carved/Decorated Walking Stick Cane