A pair of Continental memento mori walking sticks illustrating two distinct interpretations of one of Europe’s most enduring artistic themes. The first, Germany, circa 1800, is mounted on a natural twig-form shaft and surmounted by a finely carved bone skull with articulated lower jaw and carved bone vertebral neck rising from a horn collar. The second, France, circa 1900, features a polychromed carved wood handle as a bearded gentleman whose face transforms into a skull beneath a sweeping horn hat that forms the grip, symbolizing the duality of life and death. Together these canes embody the philosophical and artistic traditions of the memento mori, serving as reminders of human mortality. Both are illustrated in Vertical Art: The Enduring Beauty of Antique Canes and Walking Sticks as Figure 58 (p. 74) and Figure 79.

Dimensions: Cane 1: 1.75 x 2 x 50 in. Cane 2: 1 x 5 x 37 in.

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Both canes are in good antique condition with expected age-related wear. The articulated jaw of the German cane operates as intended. Minor wear, age cracks, and small losses consistent with age.