Western Europe, France, ca. late 19th century CE. This is an interesting walking cane that houses a handheld monocular telescope that also functions as the upper handle of the shaft. The fixed scope slides halfway into the hollow cane and a brass ring fitting secures the scope in place, with half of the instrument protruding out to use as the cane's handle. This brass fitting is decorated with repousse foliate motifs and the exposed lens tip is covered by a brass cap to protect the glass lens and to decorate the finial end of the cane. The wood is heavily polished and smooth, tapering slightly to a tip reinforced with an iron cap. This handsome walking stick is simple and may have belonged to a sailor or land surveyor - a useful and symbolic piece. Size: 36.75" L x 1" W (93.3 cm x 2.5 cm)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#169286

Telescope is nonfunctional, and missing glass lens on one end. Stable fissure in wood on scope. Brass cap is threading is worn and slightly hard to unscrew. Stable pressure fissures throughout wood shaft, and Heavy patina to wood.