Marine Ivory Panbone & Baleen Sailors Scrimshaw Walking Cane (1800 to 1900 English or American)

Ivory panbone and baleen

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The spiral whalebone shaft of this cane was carved to resemble the tusk of the narwhal. The decorative endless knot of the Turks-head carved with no seams of visible beginning or end was likened by the sailors to love and became a symbol of interdependence and union.
On board ship the Turks-head knot was not just decorative, but had many practical uses, made of rope it was frequently placed on the up-and-down spoke of a ships steering wheel so that at a glance one could see if the helm was amidship. It was used on bell ropes, as handholds on manropes and as footholds on footropes. Tied tightly it was even sometimes used for small buttons.

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WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FINE SAILORS WALKING CANES IN WHALEBONE / NARWHAL / WHALE-TOOTH WITH TORTOISESHELL INLAY ETC.

A Fine Marine Ivory Panbone & Baleen Sailors Scrimshaw Walking Cane, The Sperm Whale Tooth Handle Carved as a Turkshead Knot
The spiral whalebone shaft inlaid with baleen
Mid 19th century

Size: 89cm long – 35 ins long
See Finch & Co catalogue no.12, item no.68 and 93 for other sailor scrimshaw canes