*British, c1883, Walking Stick with Parrot Handle, Hallmarked London Silver Collar*
A late-Victorian gentleman’s walking stick with a hand-carved horn handle in the form of a parrot perched on a branch. Finely detailed plumage, inset yellow glass eyes, and a separate ivorine beak with attractive surface crazing. Mounted on a sterling silver buckle-form collar, chased with scrolling foliage. The engraving to the collar is lightly worn and the hallmarks are partially rubbed, but the lion passant, leopard’s head for London, and the date letter S for 1883 can be clearly discerned. The shaft is varnished hardwood, tapering to a period iron ferrule. Length 88 cm.
Historical Note Animal-head walking sticks were popular fashion accessories in the late 19th century, especially among the Victorian middle and upper classes. Exotic birds such as parrots reflected both the fascination with natural history and the fashion for exoticism inspired by empire and travel. The London hallmark of 1883 gives this stick a precise date, placing it at the height of the Victorian craze for distinctive and decorative canes.
*Condition* Very good antique condition. Handle with light surface wear and small shrinkage lines commensurate with age. Ivorine beak with fine age-crazing; securely set. Eyes intact. Silver collar retains sharp foliate engraving, with light rubbing and a few shallow dents; hallmarks rubbed though legible. Hardwood shaft with age patina, varnish intact but with scattered surface marks. Iron ferrule original and worn through at base. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
