Fascinating & Rare French Art Nouveau Period Ladies Gold Gilt & Ebony Walking Stick with Interior “Gadgets”, Parisian Maker 1890-1910

Incredible Art Nouveau French ladies gilt and ebony “walking stick” from the late 18th Century with “secret” gadgets, referred to as a  “system cane” for a woman’s convenience and discretion, allowing her to carry essential accessories for social outings.

These “systems canes” feature a variety of hidden devices such as a fan, an umbrella, a bottle and drinking glass, a perfume bottle or a sword. Sometimes also scalpels and syringes in canes for doctors. Also, musical instruments, fishing rods, telescopes, sewing kits and corkscrews can be hidden in the head of the walking stick. More than 1500 patents were applied for during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century became the age of the “cane”. The tremendous popularity then created the desire to be seen with a walking stick as a symbol of a certain level of distinction. A subtle message for displaying one’s social status “Show me your walking stick  and I’ll tell you what you own”.

The romantic expressions of “walking sticks with inner life” or “with soul” have two essential properties: something hidden and a combination of several tools or functions. This wonderful example has a ladies powder puff and mirror, a candle and a fan.

The top of the rounded gilt handle has a circular cartouche gilt “profile of a ladies portrait” crafted in the style of Art Nouveau, with a tiny hinge that lifts to reveal its “mysterious inner life” of a mirror and powder puff, easily accessible to discreetly re-apply face powder during an afternoon promenade or visit.

About a third of the way down the lengthy 11.5″ gold gilt handle is a hinge and chain which opens to reveal a hidden candle and fan cavity. The black fan would be essential for a lady to keep cool or add a flirtatious element to her social interactions. The hidden candle to light one’s way in a poorly lit entryway or to retrieve an item from a dark corner.

Marked “PC ”  the initials of a Parisian maker, with a registered patent of  “Breveté S.G.D.G.”  c. 1890–1910.  This was a Parisian luxury metal workshop atelier of the Belle Epoque period, when walking sticks were essential fashion accessories for the well-to-do, and patented innovations were highly valued.