Memento mori cane with carved elephant ivory skull and snake handle

Unknown Maker (possibly Continental), European, 19th century

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about 1850-1870

Carved elephant ivory handle, gold-plated collar; ebony shaft

Overall: 34 1/4 × 1 7/8 in. (87 × 4.8 cm)

Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth: Gift of Judith D. and Charles H. Hood, Class of 1951

2016.36.17

Geography

Place Made: Europe

Period

19th century

Object Name

Personal Gear: Cane

Research Area

Decorative Arts

Not on view

Inscriptions

Engraved on collar, within cartouche: Dr. Alfred / Spring / Norwood

Provenance

Tradewind Antiques, Danvers, Mass., “Auction of Antique Canes,” April 26, 2008, lot 17, illus. in color p. 17; sold to Judith D. and Charles H. Hood (1929-2016), Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, 2008; given to present collection, 2016

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