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Alexander Pushkin, Friedrich Nietzsche, Lord Byron - they all walked with a cane, paying tribute to the fashion of their time. A few centuries ago, going out without a cane was considered the height of indecency for a man. Today, on the contrary, meeting someone with one is a huge rarity. Despite the fact that the cane has gone out of active everyday use, it has remained an accessory that can emphasize the uniqueness of style.
The history of the cane goes back more than one thousand years. Its predecessor was an ordinary stick, and later - a staff. Initially, the main purpose of this accessory was to help with walking, and only after many centuries the cane began to perform a decorative function.
The main purpose of such a product is to complement the image of its owner. In addition, the cane brought additional conveniences, in particular, it could be used to knock on the front door, fight off dogs and use for self-defense. In the Middle Ages, this accessory became a symbol of a higher military position: it was the presence of a cane that distinguished officers from ordinary soldiers.
Canes as a gift
Among the nobility, a cane was used as an attribute of high status. Its value could be equal to the family estate. The cane was passed down from generation to generation. It was not only a wardrobe item, but also an item of collection: canes were brought from long journeys and ordered from the best craftsmen. The most famous was Voltaire's collection of canes, which numbered 121 items.
Interestingly, in England, the homeland of the dandy, they even introduced a special tax on this accessory. The reason for this was that the cane allegedly spoils the road surface.
At the end of the 17th century, the cane ceased to be an item of exclusively male wardrobe. The appearance of women's canes is associated with the fashion for high heels. Walking in shoes with such heels was not very comfortable, so women helped themselves with a cane. The decorative function was not the main one for women. In addition to support, the cane also served as a kind of handbag: you could hide a handkerchief, perfume, love letters and other ladies' trifles in it.
The rules of etiquette for gentlemen forbade waving a cane on the street and carrying it under your arm, because you could accidentally touch a person passing by. It was considered indecent to use a cane for other purposes, for example, as a pointer in a museum. These rules are still relevant today. In addition, when you see an acquaintance, you should take the cane in your left hand, freeing your right to shake hands. If a man is walking with a woman, the cane should be held in the hand that is on the outside.
There are many types of canes. The main ones are: solid (most often made of wood), folding (it can be carried in a bag or backpack), decorative (the most important thing is its luxurious appearance) and a cane with a secret (equipped with a knife, flashlight, flask or other useful thing) .
Decorative canes differ in the material of the barrel, the style of the handle design and their collectible value. The most expressive part is its handle, the original design of which can tell a lot about its owner. At all times, handles in the form of a bird's or animal head were considered the most popular. Such a handle embodied the charisma of the animal in which it was made: the strength and power of a lion, the wisdom of an eagle, the agility of a panther.
Exotic wood species are used in the manufacture of elegant canes, such as American cherry, zebrano, jatoba, lacewood, sapele, and for the design of the handle - amber, turquoise, bone, metal, as well as precious metals. Collectible canes are also decorated with personal engraving, bone inlay, precious stones, gold or silver. Exclusive and rich design turns such canes into an object of art.
A correctly selected cane will be the final chord of the appearance of a socialite and an expressive detail of the image. Today, a cane is an accessory of a real man who is not afraid to stand out from the crowd and advantageously emphasize the positive traits of his character.
