Gold 18ct. Splendid Neo-Gothic Opera Cane. Austria, ca. 1880

From the Middle Ages to the beginning of the 20th century, hunting was a sport reserved for the nobility and some privileged ones, becoming a meeting point where the favoured meet and exercised, responding to a series of codes and rituals that varied by country and culture.

This handle is a magnificent work in 18 carats of gold and is conceived to represent a hunting scene, at one side we see a dear followed by two different hounds, jumping over a composition of different scrolls inspired by those intertwined designs that we can see in the ancient manuscripts elaborated and illuminated with holy patience by the monks from medieval times to the Renaissance, on the other side, we also appreciate a hunting scene, although, in this one, a wild boar is being chased by two dogs.

It may seem symmetrical, but by observing we discover many differences. Each one of the end-caps is differentiated with the effigy of two game birds, one a duck and the other a pheasant.

According to two jewellers and considering its manufacturing conditions, this handle would weigh minimal 60 grams. 

The 18 ct. tested gold handle is 5 cm high x 10 cm lengthwise x 3 cm wide and shows the diamond-shaped Austrian hallmarks with an unreadable maker mark, it is very well-modelled, cast, and precious hand-chased and is fitted with a black ebony shaft and a bronze tip. The O.L. is 90 cm. Used only a few times and without chips, cracks, or dents, the condition is perfect !

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