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
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 — snake
  • Animal — reptile — lizard
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)

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
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, 1992.1.4
Cane
Artist
Date1967-1969
carved and varnished wood, felt-tipped marker, and ballpoint pen and ink
Not on view
Ben Miller, Cane with Rattlesnake and Cow-Head Handle, 1987, carved wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Ken and Donna Fadeley in honor of Robert H. Martin, 1991.158.2
Cane with Rattlesnake and Cow-Head Handle
Artist
Date1987
carved wood
Not on view
Ben Miller, Cane with Rattlesnake, Lizard and Spider, 1982, wood; solvent based felt-tipped marker; plastic resin; Magic Marker, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Ken and Donna Fadeley in honor of Robert H. Martin, 1991.158.1
Cane with Rattlesnake, Lizard and Spider
Artist
Date1982
wood; solvent based felt-tipped marker; plastic resin; Magic Marker
On view
Joseph Cornell, Colombier (Dovecote #2), ca. 1950, tempera and ink on newsprint, wood and glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Benton, 1978.95.13
Colombier (Dovecote #2)
Artist
Dateca. 1950
tempera and ink on newsprint, wood and glass
Not on view