Canes reached the pinnacle of their popularity as a fashion accessory around the mid-19th, becoming extremely popular amongst the middle and upper classes of North America and Europe as a means of displaying social status. This example is inscribed on top of the grip "Prestd to/N.W. French/By his Son/G.F.F./New Orleans, La, July 4, 1862." At the time of writing neither of these individuals have been identified, though it should be noted the curiosity of a cane being presented on the independence day of the United States, a year into the Civil War, deep in the heart of the Confederacy, just a couple months after the capture of New Orleans by Union forces. It is possible this cane was a presentation piece celebrating the capture of the city. The gilt knob grip features multiple facets decorated with floral motifs and is fitted with a Malacca shaft tipped with dark horn. It measures 34 3/4 inches overall.

Fine, retaining most of the gilt finish on the grip with some light handling marks throughout. The shaft is also fine with some scattered light handling marks and retaining most of the varnish.