Fine Sailors Snake-Wood Walking Cane
A Fine Sailors Snake-Wood Walking Cane
With a large carved sperm whale tooth ivory handle formed as a clenched fist holding a roll of command
An old inscription in ink on the back of the hand reading: 'Avignon Mrs Woolfield'
Old smooth patina
Circa 1840
Size: 87cm long – 34¼ ins long
With a large carved sperm whale tooth ivory handle formed as a clenched fist holding a roll of command
An old inscription in ink on the back of the hand reading: 'Avignon Mrs Woolfield'
Old smooth patina
Circa 1840
Size: 87cm long – 34¼ ins long
Dr Johnson could not understand why a man should willingly go to sea, and indeed the life of a sailor spent crowded with his mates below decks only to be called aloft to the masts and yards in a howling gale at any moment would not have appealed to most 18th century literary men. A seaman's life remained barely durable until well into the 19th century, but scrimshanding was encouraged as a diversion aboard the long voyages of the whaling ships and it undoubtedly helped ease the boredom and frustration of the crew.
Fine Sailors Snake-Wood Walking Cane
![Main image](https://images.finch-and-co.co.uk/FinchMedia/Object/3cd95c0ab3dc4ec2ae9cfe617214e372.jpg?w=190&h=190&mode=pad&format=jpg)
SOLD
![Mini image](https://images.finch-and-co.co.uk/FinchMedia/Object/5dc7b8e33168483c9a78b65c09a16c52.jpg?width=550&format=jpg)
![Mini image](https://images.finch-and-co.co.uk/FinchMedia/Object/cd2dae857beb4d1c889c5c06aa21142c.jpg?width=550&format=jpg)
![Mini image](https://images.finch-and-co.co.uk/FinchMedia/Object/5baa04ba270d4d2885972da5cd0231dc.jpg?width=550&format=jpg)
![Mini image](https://images.finch-and-co.co.uk/FinchMedia/Object/942450fc3e6b4db0bdf03911a9972c28.jpg?width=550&format=jpg)
![Mini image](https://images.finch-and-co.co.uk/FinchMedia/Object/5dc7b8e33168483c9a78b65c09a16c52.jpg?width=550&format=jpg)
![Mini image](https://images.finch-and-co.co.uk/FinchMedia/Object/cd2dae857beb4d1c889c5c06aa21142c.jpg?width=550&format=jpg)
![Mini image](https://images.finch-and-co.co.uk/FinchMedia/Object/5baa04ba270d4d2885972da5cd0231dc.jpg?width=550&format=jpg)
![Mini image](https://images.finch-and-co.co.uk/FinchMedia/Object/942450fc3e6b4db0bdf03911a9972c28.jpg?width=550&format=jpg)