Cane with Rattlesnakes and Snails

Ben Miller, Cane with Rattlesnakes and Snails, 1991, carved wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Ken and Donna Fadeley in honor of Robert H. Martin, 1991.158.3
Ben Miller, Cane with Rattlesnakes and Snails, 1991, carved wood, 36 3⁄8 x 5 7⁄8 x 2 1⁄4 in. (92.4 x 14.9 x 5.7 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Ken and Donna Fadeley in honor of Robert H. Martin, 1991.158.3

Artwork Details

Title
Cane with Rattlesnakes and Snails
Artist
Date
1991
Location
Dimensions
36 3⁄8 x 5 7⁄8 x 2 1⁄4 in. (92.4 x 14.9 x 5.7 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Ken and Donna Fadeley in honor of Robert H. Martin
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved wood
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — reptile — snake
  • Animal — other — snail
Object Number
1991.158.3
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1991.158.3

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)

Works by this artist (7 items)

View all artworks
Ben Miller, Cane with Snake and Lizard, ca. 1968, carved, stained, and varnished dogwood or white ash with plastic and felt- tipped pen and ink, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.1
Cane with Snake and Lizard
Artist
Dateca. 1968
carved, stained, and varnished dogwood or white ash with plastic and felt- tipped pen and ink
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
Ben Miller, Cane with Rattlesnakes and Snails, 1991, carved wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Ken and Donna Fadeley in honor of Robert H. Martin, 1991.158.3
Cane with Rattlesnakes and Snails
Artist
Date1991
carved wood
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

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Paul Manship, Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1935, bronze on wood base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.43
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Artist
Date1935
bronze on wood base
Not on view
Hipolito Marte Martinez, Los Reyes Magos, early 20th century, carved and painted wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.59
Los Reyes Magos
Artist
Dateearly 20th century
carved and painted wood
On view
Paul Manship, Jack Green with Beard, 1921, terra cotta on wood base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.105
Jack Green with Beard
Artist
Date1921
terra cotta on wood base
Not on view
Maurice Beson, Fish Decoy, 20th century, carved and painted wood; painted, tinned iron sheet; and lead weight, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alastair B. Martin, 1999.67.8
Fish Decoy
Artist
Attributed to Maurice Beson
Date20th century
carved and painted wood; painted, tinned iron sheet; and lead weight
On view