Walking stick

Object/Artifact

-

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Walking stick

Entry/Object ID

VC.98.1

Description

Cylindrical cane with inscribed repousse-decorated and engraved gold knob. The polished stick slightly tapers to the bottom. The stick is topped with a golden knob. The top of the knob is a smooth octagonal shape with a repousse beaded border. In the center of the octagon is an engraved shield with the Van Cortlandt family coat-of-arms. Windmill vanes divide the shield into four fields with a flower in the center of each field and a flower at the intersection of the vanes. The shield is topped by an armour with a flower over it. On the left of the shield is a banner and two bayonets. On the right is a sword, a banner, and a halberd. There is a motto band under the shield. The top bulbous top of the knob has repousse decoration of scrolls and vegetable ornaments. The lower portion of the knob has four diagonal stripes of repousse floral decorations interchanging with plain stripes framed with repousse beaded borders. Two of the plain stripes have engraved inscriptions. The cane has a black rubber tip with a design of three concentric circles at the bottom. The tip is modern. Under it there is an iron tip, which is held in place with two brass nails. It is very rusty with the bottom broken and cracked on the side. On the knob top, a motto is engraved below the coat-of-arms: "Virus sibi munus" On the side of the knob, on the plain horizontal stripes (in script): "Van Cortlandt/ Jan.1st.1854" In the center of the bottom of the rubber tip: "18"

Collection

Van Cortlandt Manor Object Collection

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Unknown

Attribution

Maker

Date made

1854

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Transcription

(See Description)

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Overall

Length

35-1/4 in

Diameter

1-1/2 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 35 1/4 x 1 1/2 in. (89.5 x 3.8 cm)

Dimension Description

Gold tip

Length

2-1/4 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm)

Dimension Description

Without Mod.Rubber Tip

Length

35 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 35 in. (88.9 cm)

Material

Gold, Rubber, Fruitwood

Condition

Notes

Remarks: Details of condition: Minor dents and scratches on the knob. Scratches and loss of polish on the stick, especially on the lower half.

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Van Cortlandt Family

Notes

Former owner

General Notes

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Union Church, Storage, Shelf 22A