SOLD - Historical North Italian olive Folk Art cane
Ref : 16726
An extremely fine Historical olive wood cane, carved during the War of the Second Coalition, which was the second war on revolutionary France, by most of the Eurpean monarchies. This cane is Northern Italian, probably from Verona, carved from olive wood and is anti-Napoleonic in it's subject matter. It is dated 1797 & 1799 and is extensively and symbolically hand carved all over. The handle is in the form of a chained monkey seated on an elaborate seat, the reverse with a double headed eagle and dated 1797. A medallion bearing the letters "MM/M" is flanked by a soldier and faces, with a broken axe and phrygian cap, each above a banner with a cryptic inscription, the shaft with long Latin inscription on a spiralling carved belt. In the last line of the long inscription the anonymous virtuoso woodcarver declares (in translation) "I have made this stick... and carved it enigmatically." It is clear the monkey is to be seen as a representation of the French, or Napoleon (who was sometimes ridiculed in this way by his enemies) or the French General, Scherer. The inscription also makes reference to the monkey believing he was devouring "tasty morsels prepared by his supporters at Verona... 1799" and blames "French brigands" and the "impious brood of atheists and Jacobins". The Battle of Verona was fought on 26 March 1799 between French forces under Scherer and the Habsburg Austrian army. The date 1797 is a reference to the so-called Veronese Easter. This week long revolt against occupying French forces began on 17 April. This is an extrodinary walking cane, carved overall and is of great historical interest.
Date circa: 1799
Country: Italian
~ overall length 103.5cm / 40.4in.
price: SOLD
Ref : 16726
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