When is a Walking Stick, not a Walking Stick?

A wicker basket filled with ornate walking sticks adorns the lounge room of our bastide. Some have handles hand-carved out of wood and ivory, some knobbly ends like an old tree trunk, and others resemble candy canes.

The basket creates warmth and texture in the room and the walking sticks embrace a certain old-world charm.  Innocently resting against the wall, I didn’t take much notice until recently when friends came over for apéritif. One guest was fascinated with this collection. Previously just part of the background, it suddenly became the centerpiece of our evening. He took each one from the basket and examined it
closely…

And just like that, he said:

This is not just a walking stick, I think it is a gun”

By pulling back the handle 90 degrees, the chamber was exposed, revealing a slot to insert a cartridge. It could then be fired by loading the tray and pushing it forward. Next, we examined the one with the knobbly handle and, after applying some physical force to pull back the shaft, it revealed a sword with a sharp, piercing end. This ornate basket of walking sticks was a basket of guns and a sword. While I was interested, I was equally horrified as our girls had been playing with them for the last two
years.

Now I was very curious.

I wanted to know more about this collection. When most people think of a cane or walking stick, they picture someone who is injured or feeble and needs it to walk. What most people probably don’t realise is they have a very long history.

Ancient Egypt

The walking stick has been used as far back as ancient Egypt. During these times rulers were often seen with ornate walking sticks that usually had some form of ornamental top.

Symbols such as a lotus or scarab beetle were commonly carved into the metal to signify long life. Over time, the walking stick became associated with power and prestige. Owning an ornate stick signified a person’s seniority and importance. Different types of walking sticks were used for different purposes, and the length, material, and design reflected a person’s occupation and social standing. Merchants used one type of walking stick, while Pharaohs and priests had their own unique designs.

The Middle Ages – France

During the 11th-century, walking aids gained popularity in France, especially among the nobility. Marie Antoinette was known to carry a shepherd’s crook on official occasions, but she also used her walking stick for another purpose.

As she was rumoured, to be around four feet in height, Marie Antoinette would spend hours with her hairdresser creating wildly imaginative hairstyles. Some would feature butterflies, feathers, and bows, and even live birds in cages. These hairstyles were the fashion of the day and ladies of the court were scrambling to emulate them. But powdered hair supporting these fancy concoctions was difficult to wash and would often be home to all types of pests. So, the ladies including Marie Antoinette would
carry walking sticks with a claw so they could scratch their heads.

In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church also played a significant role in popularising decorative walking sticks. The church influenced their design by adding bishops’ crosiers and crosses while also turning them into valuable hiding places. People used walking sticks to conceal precious jewels and coins. Additionally, blades started to be concealed inside walking sticks during this period, providing users with a means of self-defense.

This is exactly like the one we have which conceals a sword.

The 15th-Century

Henry VIII used a cane to symbolize British royal power and is depicted in numerous paintings with his hand resting on an ornate staff. One of his personal favourites was called “Walking Stick”. This was not a traditional walking stick but a multi-purpose weapon. It was an extremely advanced shaft covered in metal and featured a morning star at the end that concealed three matchlock pistols. There is no real evidence that he used it. But he was well known to have revolutionised medieval England, particularly its military technology.

His “Walking Stick” currently resides in the Tower of London.

The 1600s and 1700s

In the 1600s, walking canes became a popular and fashionable accessory for gentlemen. By the 1700s, etiquette rules were officially regulated. Carrying a walking cane was seen as a privilege and it was necessary to have a license to carry one. The ”cane license’ had various rules, including not carrying the cane under the arm, not brandishing it in the air, and not hanging it on a button. Failure to comply with these rules resulted in the forfeiture of the right to carry a cane.

The Industrial Revolution

Once again during the Industrial Revolution, walking sticks became a fashion statement. This period saw a significant change as they were no longer made by hand, but rather mass-produced in large quantities. Walking canes were more of a social symbol than a mobility aid and were treated as works of art. They were often adorned with elaborate decorations and well-known names such as Tiffany and Faberge created famous collections. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, even smaller designers gained popularity if their walking canes were used by the ‘right’ people.

US presidents frequently received one-of-a-kind walking sticks and canes as gifts. Instead of keeping them as collector's items, they used them. George Washington was given a unique one by Benjamin Franklin that featured a ‘French Liberty’ cap. It can be seen today at the Smithsonian Art Museum in America.

The 21st-Century

The walking stick has certainly had a long and varied history and has served many purposes since ancient times. As a symbol of power and authority, denoting one’s place in society, to conceal weapons and precious items, and even a head-scratcher. Their use and place today may be more functional than decorative with them generally being used by walkers, trackers, and those who need extra support walking.

While they continue to have relevance as a practical tool and are often kept as collector’s items, I don’t think I will ever look at a walking stick the same way again.

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