Wood Walking Cane — Gold-Filled Repousse Knob, Inscribed "Balzac" 1966 View Watchlist >
- Winning Bid: $161.00
- 43 Bid(s) View Bid History
- High Bidder: Misterranger85
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Lot # C963
System ID # 27402104
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End Date
8 Watching
Wood Walking Cane — Gold-Filled Repousse Knob, Inscribed "Balzac" 1966
An ebonized wood dress cane with a gold-filled brass repousse knob, distinguished by a personal French inscription that gives it uncommon narrative weight. The knob is cast in two decorative zones — a diamond lattice collar and a scrollwork dome with a domed crown — the gold layer substantial enough that the engraving cuts cleanly through it to the base metal beneath. The shaft tapers to a steel-capped ferrule. No maker's marks are present.
The engraved plaque reads Mon Cher "Balzac" — Joyeux Noël 1966: "My Dear Balzac — Merry Christmas 1966." Whether "Balzac" was the recipient's affectionate nickname or a knowing nod to the great French novelist, the inscription anchors this cane as a deliberate personal gift — not shelf inventory. Presentation canes with dated inscriptions carry built-in provenance that generic examples simply can't match.
CONDITION Good. The shaft and ferrule are structurally sound with age-consistent surface wear. The gold-filled knob shows distributed indentations across the handle consistent with decades of use; base metal is visible only within the engraved cuts, not from surface wear.
DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS
- Height: 35"
- Handle material: Gold-filled brass, repousse cast
- Shaft material: Ebonized wood
- Tip: Steel ferrule cap
- Markings: Unmarked; engraved plaque reads Mon Cher "Balzac" — Joyeux Noël 1966
- US Dollar Bill Shown for Scale