Creepy cane with skeletons, bat, and dated dagger...Any ideas?

[lenmac65]

I apologize if this is the wrong forum as I guess I know "What is it?" - a cane. But I have no idea of the significance, if any. Is this a one of a kind item or is this a dime-a-dozen walking stick made for tourists somewhere? Do the images (skeletons, bats, and dagger) mean anything to anybody? How about the dated dagger? Is it an 1802 or 1862 and would that date be the date of manufacture or a date commemorating an event? Any ideas or insights would be most appreciated.

The cane itself is 36 inches long and made of bamboo. It is fairly lightweight with a metal cap at the bottom. The top is rounded with little raised bumps. My father bought it in an antique store about 40 years ago, but has no idea about the purpose of the markings. He just thought it was interesting. I hope you do too.

(Sorry about the picture orientation. I should have shot them vertical. My neck hurts now, I hope yours does not. I attached more photos on my post below. Number 13, I think. Thanks)

 

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[traderoftreasures]

last picture says 1802 up and down ?

 

[AU24K]

I'm thinking folk art or....
Maybe from Louisiana.


Scott

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Not yet,
What, did you cast a spell on all who open this thread?

 

[IronSpike]

Carved Bamboo root stick

Cast the spell

What does the tip of the stick look like?

 

[intimer]

what's the wood? i see a little bamboo look to it?

 

[DCMatt]

Nicely carved root-end bamboo walking stick.

If it just had skeletons on it, you could argue that it is a late Victorian ars moriendi piece. But I think the bat and the moon are more "Hollywood". Also, I'm not convinced the dagger markings are a date.

So I would guess as others have - mid-20th c. folk art.

Still a very nice cane, though... The artwork is superb.

DCMatt

 

[intimer]

heck, i missed the wood type in lenmacs orig. post!

make that two of us that would like to see the canes tip and the hand part from the top .
i'm not convince the numbers are a date of manuf. or just numbers of reference.

 

[DCMatt]

One skeleton appears to be carrying an amphora on his back. The other looks like he has something in his hands. What is it? Might be a clue about where this cane was carved...

Or am I imagining things?

DCMatt

 

[intimer]

that's more than likely Haitian or Dominican, or puerto Rican in origin, they're quite common and made to sell to tourists anxious to snatch up "creepy voodoo stuff"

It's pretty cool, though. ;-)

rando's post seems very viable.

 

[traderoftreasures]

maybe it was jerry garcia's before he gave it to ozzy

 

[lenmac65]

Thank you all for the posts. Some good insights and laughs.

Some have asked what they might be holding. One is holding a large flower or leaf over his head (as if to shade himself from the moon) and a vase on a rod. The other is holding a piece of paper (though it looks like it has a handle) and the strap to a bag or pot slung over his back. I attached a few more pictures, including the metal tip.

Thanks for the insights.

 

[IronSpike]

Great pics Based the details in the carvings I would say you have a nice piece of Oriental folkart. The oriental letters/symbols would help pinpoint origin.

 

[DCMatt]

Great pics Based the details in the carvings I would say you have a nice piece of Oriental folkart. The oriental letters/symbols would help pinpoint origin.

I agree completely. Definitely kanji characters on the item (a bag?) in the skeleton hand. I think the other item may be a paper lantern.

I saw a number of Japanese carved bamboo canes in various auctions on line. Some from the early 20th c.

The art may depict some Japanese folklore. Many of the stories are absolutely horrific - designed, no doubt, to scare the bejeebers out of children.

I'm still looking for more info. This cane is one of the neatest pieces I've seen posted here in a while.

DCMatt

 

[DCMatt]

I'm curious now about the "dagger" image. Is it two crossed "daggers"?

If so, they probably aren't daggers. They may be chopsticks.

Crossed chopsticks are a symbol of death in Japanese culture. That would certainly fit the motif of your cane.

Also, traditional Japanese style chopsticks are pointy.

DCMatt

 

[Curious The George]

How long is it?

 

[intimer]

How long is it?

36"

 

[lenmac65]

Thanks for all the posts. I am pretty convinced now that this is an Asian (probably Japanese) walking stick. The marks on the bag carried by the skeleton do look like Asian/Japanese writing. There also appears to be markings or writing above what I believe is a date (either 1802 or 1862). As for the dagger-like image, I suppose it could be two pointed chop sticks, though I was thinking it was either two daggers or a dagger and its sheath. Now I just need to figure out what message or story the images are trying to convey and whether the date means anything. At least now I have some ideas of where I should be looking (i.e. Japanese folklore.)

Thanks again all.

 

[DCMatt]

Thanks for all the posts. I am pretty convinced now that this is an Asian (probably Japanese) walking stick. The marks on the bag carried by the skeleton do look like Asian/Japanese writing. There also appears to be markings or writing above what I believe is a date (either 1802 or 1862). As for the dagger-like image, I suppose it could be two pointed chop sticks, though I was thinking it was either two daggers or a dagger and its sheath. Now I just need to figure out what message or story the images are trying to convey and whether the date means anything. At least now I have some ideas of where I should be looking (i.e. Japanese folklore.)

Thanks again all.

This walking stick may have been carved for the Obon festival. It is Japan's equivalent to "The Day of the Dead". It's a pretty important festival and EVERYONE make the journey back - including the spirits of family members. Food, flowers, and other gifts are left out for the spirits. Lanterns are hung to guide the spirits home. Males of the family sometimes go outside in the evening and call to the spirits to welcome them. In some parts of Japan, a walking stick is left by the family alter to assist the spirits with the long walk back to the afterlife.

For my money (not that it is costing me anything), calling this an Obon walking stick is a pretty safe bet.

The kanji characters on the bag look readable. I tried to figure them out but my kanji ability is poor. Take it to a Japanese person for translation. That may provide your best clue.

DCMatt

 

[IronSpike]

Thanks for all the posts. I am pretty convinced now that this is an Asian (probably Japanese) walking stick. The marks on the bag carried by the skeleton do look like Asian/Japanese writing. There also appears to be markings or writing above what I believe is a date (either 1802 or 1862). As for the dagger-like image, I suppose it could be two pointed chop sticks, though I was thinking it was either two daggers or a dagger and its sheath. Now I just need to figure out what message or story the images are trying to convey and whether the date means anything. At least now I have some ideas of where I should be looking (i.e. Japanese folklore.)

Thanks again all.

This walking stick may have been carved for the Obon festival. It is Japan's equivalent to "The Day of the Dead". It's a pretty important festival and EVERYONE make the journey back - including the spirits of family members. Food, flowers, and other gifts are left out for the spirits. Lanterns are hung to guide the spirits home. Males of the family sometimes go outside in the evening and call to the spirits to welcome them. In some parts of Japan, a walking stick is left by the family alter to assist the spirits with the long walk back to the afterlife.

For my money (not that it is costing me anything), calling this an Obon walking stick is a pretty safe bet.

The kanji characters on the bag look readable. I tried to figure them out but my kanji ability is poor. Take it to a Japanese person for translation. That may provide your best clue.

DCMatt

Obon walking stick. Great ID DCMatt