Diamond-Willow Cane

Unidentified, Diamond-Willow Cane, probably 20th century, carved, painted, and lacquered Diamond willow, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.14
Unidentified, Diamond-Willow Cane, probably 20th century, carved, painted, and lacquered Diamond willow, 37 141 781 78 in. (94.64.94.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.14
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Artwork Details

Title
Diamond-Willow Cane
Artist
Unidentified
Date
probably 20th century
Dimensions
37 141 781 78 in. (94.64.94.9 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved, painted, and lacquered Diamond willow
Classifications
Subjects
  • Object — flower
  • Object — foliage
  • Animal — reptile — snake
Object Number
1986.65.14

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)

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