Antique Cane
These pieces of antique cane span walking sticks, seating and umbrella stands from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Antique Cane
When searching for antique cane, a buyer encounters a diverse group of objects incorporating woven plant material, walking implements and hallway furniture.
Seating forms range from French bergère sofas and armchairs to campaign chairs and dining chairs featuring woven cane seats or back panels.
Other common survivors on this page include walking sticks, sword sticks, and cast iron or ceramic umbrella stands from the Victorian and Edwardian periods.
How they were made
Craftsmen utilised natural plant fibres for woven seating panels alongside traditional hardwoods such as mahogany, oak, rosewood and walnut.
Walking implements combined woods like malacca and bamboo with metal mounts in brass, silver and gold, often finished with horn or carved animal head handles.
Listings include items from the Victorian, Edwardian, Regency and Arts and Crafts periods made from brass, cast iron, silver and oak.
What varies in quality
The standard of an antique cane piece rests upon the tightness and regularity of the woven plant work and the integrity of the underlying timber frame.
In walking sticks and handles, superior examples demonstrate crisp metal casting, hallmarked precious metals, or finely detailed carved horn and stone pommels.
E.W Godwin·Briggs of London·Thomas Johnson
The Antique Cane Glossary
- Bergère
- An enclosed French upholstered armchair with wooden framing and woven cane side panels. This form frequently appears in nineteenth century walnut and mahogany.
- Malacca
- A sturdy rattan cane imported from Southeast Asia, prized for its mottled brown skin and utilised extensively for walking sticks.
- Sword stick
- A walking cane concealing a sharp steel blade within its shaft. Examples often feature silver mounts and engraved blades.
- Campaign chair
- A portable folding chair designed for travel and military use. These pieces often incorporate woven cane seats and lightweight frames.
- Pommel
- The rounded handle or knob at the top of a walking stick. Makers cast these in silver, gold, brass, or carved them from horn.
Antique Cane: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I care for antique cane seating?
Keep woven cane seats clean with a soft brush and prevent the natural plant fibres from drying out by applying a damp sponge occasionally.
Avoid placing these chairs in direct sunlight or beside intense heat sources which cause the material to become brittle.
How were umbrella stands used?
Hallway umbrella and stick stands provided a dedicated household space to store wet umbrellas and walking canes near the entrance.
Cast iron and ceramic versions collected runoff water in built-in trays to protect interior floors.
How do I identify Victorian cane pieces?
Victorian items frequently exhibit distinct revival styles, cast iron construction, or hallmarks on silver mounts dating to the nineteenth century.
Makers often employed bamboo, heavy oak and brass hardware typical of the period.