JOHN PAIN, STOW, ACTIVE LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY | Rare Walking Cane

finely worked in penwork all over

A rare cane with some old marks and scratches as a result of age and use. The finial with some prangs and dents. The tip is of dry appearance and there is also some evidence of old worm. There are some very fine cracks but the piece is very stable. It is an exceptional thing.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The finial above a relief collar attached to a finely worked pen-work shaft depicting snakes, a crown, a peacock, a moth, a mermaid with palm frond, fire-irons, jug, bellows, cup, spade, sun, moon, a man with a bird, a folly with a weather vane in the form of a man with a scythe, a shepherds crook, suns, love hearts, dog, sheep, palm, a building with weather vane in the form of a ship, the name AFLECK, canoe, staircase, gate, head on a stake, spread eagle, Celtic knot design, a fish, deer, knife, coot, deer, wolf, a lady with a parasol, heart, two men on horseback pulling a carriage, the date 1817, building with a smoking chimney, guitar, flute, trumpet, cockerel, butterfly, pigeons, a lady and gentleman with a pipe toasting, a ship, a hot air balloon, goat, a monkey smoking a pipe, a man in stocks, a drum, two monkeys toasting, small dog, a cat, a tiger (captioned TIGER), dogs, man on horseback with a hunting horn, horse, a beaver (captioned A BEVER), a peewit (captioned PEEWIT), wild boar, a fallow deer (captioned FALLOW DEER) with the devil, holding a loft a pronged fork on its back, attacking man, a dentist extracting a man tooth and four rigged sailing ships.