A First World War commemorative walking cane with a silver handle, honouring the victorious Allied Forces. France, circa 1918.

France circa 1918

Walking stick: silver “milord”-shaped handle, depicting six soldiers representing six European states involved and victorious in the First World War. The upper part faithfully reproduces the official heraldry of the United States coat of arms (the bald eagle), a common choice for patriotic, military, or diplomatic objects from the 19th to the dawn of the 20th century. As the pommel is turned, the letters inscribed along the upper border combine to form a famous maxim: L’UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Unity is Strength) and LIBERTÉ (Freedom). Beneath the arches supported by columns and palm fronds (symbols of victory and martyrdom), the Allied soldiers are rendered in high relief: Italian, Belgian, Serbian or Russian, French, British, and American. The shaft is made of Ceylon ebony (Diospyros ebenum J.Koenig 1781). The ferrule is made of metal. France, circa 1918.

35” – 88 CM H 1,3” – 3 CM L 1,3” – 3 CM D

REF: M5887