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
Copied Unidentified, Diamond-Willow Cane, probably 20th century, carved, painted, and lacquered Diamond willow, 37 1⁄4 x 1 7⁄8 x 1 7⁄8 in. (94.6 x 4.9 x 4.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.14
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Diamond-Willow Cane
Artist
Unidentified
Date
probably 20th century
Location
Dimensions
37 1⁄4 x 1 7⁄8 x 1 7⁄8 in. (94.6 x 4.9 x 4.9 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
  • Animal — reptile — snake
  • Object — foliage
  • Object — flower
Object Number
1986.65.14
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/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)