Cane

Ben Miller, Cane, 1967-1969, carved and varnished wood, felt-tipped marker, and ballpoint pen and ink, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase from the folk art collection of David L. Davies, 1992.1.3
Copied Ben Miller, Cane, 1967-1969, carved and varnished wood, felt-tipped marker, and ballpoint pen and ink, 34 1⁄2 x 2 3⁄8 in. (87.5 x 6.1 cm.) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase from the folk art collection of David L. Davies, 1992.1.3

Artwork Details

Title
Cane
Artist
Date
1967-1969
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
34 1⁄2 x 2 3⁄8 in. (87.5 x 6.1 cm.) diam.
Credit Line
Museum purchase from the folk art collection of David L. Davies
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and varnished wood, felt-tipped marker, and ballpoint pen and ink
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — reptile — lizard
  • Animal — reptile — snake
Object Number
1992.1.3
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1992.1.3

Artwork Description

Artists decorate canes with a wide variety of images, from traditional carvings of snakes and birds, to nude women, political figures, and celebrities. Some artists highlight the natural shape of the wood by applying relief designs onto twisted branches and roots, while others carve three-dimensional shapes into the shaft. Images of animals are the most popular decoration, but many canes also show patriotic, fraternal, and political themes. (George Meyer, American Folk Art Canes, 1992)