Bamboo Walking Stick with Horse, 1930s

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Description

Walking stick with built-in horse measure, bamboo handle, metal ferrule, early 20th century – France

A spectacular walking stick with … Read more Walking stick with built-in horse measure, bamboo handle, metal ferrule, early 20th century – France

A spectacular walking stick with a built-in horse measure, crafted from bamboo with a silver-plated metal ferrule, dating from the early 20th century. Bamboo was a popular wood at the time, and the highly rounded, curved shape of the handle also reflects the fashion of the era.

This is a very original piece due to its dual purpose: as a walking stick and a riding tool, giving it significant functional and historical value. Walking sticks were also fashionable accessories and status symbols. Even in ancient times, these objects held great importance. The Babylonians would not leave their homes without carrying a well-crafted walking stick adorned with symbolic ornamentation that distinguished the wearer's rank. In Egypt, the Festival of the Walking Sticks was celebrated. These customs were also observed in Europe, as French monarchs carried their scepter in one hand and their walking stick in the other.

And in this case, there's also a historical context in which the equestrian world was rapidly gaining popularity. Horse racing became a prestigious social event, one of the favorite pastimes of the upper classes in Europe at the time. The elite used these events to show off and network. In the 18th century, selective horse breeding was formalized. Its popularization in France was thanks to the impetus of Napoleon Bonaparte, who promoted this activity because he saw it as a good strategy for improving the quality of military horses. However, the sport's golden age occurred in the 20th century, expanding to Latin America, Australia, Japan, and the Middle East. Technological innovations allowed for the automation of betting and its broadcast on television and radio, broadening its global audience.

Materials: Bamboo wood and silver-plated metal ferrule
Period: Early 20th century
Country of origin: France
Good condition considering its age and use
Dimensions: 94 x 13 x 2 cm See less