Walking Stick

CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Walking Stick
Datec. 1862
Possible placeNew Orleans, Louisiana, United States
MediumGold, unidentified wood, and inset compass
Dimensions36 3/16 × 1 1/16 in. diameter (91.9 × 2.7 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Edward House
Object numberB.93.27
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Metals Study Room
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

The walking stick became a requisite of fashion during the seventeenth century.  When crafted from exotic woods and capped with a gold head, it was suddenly elevated to an object of status.  The Bayou Bend example carries an enigmatic inscription. Captain Thomas Forbes, its recipient, was a blockade runner during the Civil War and is believed to have received the walking stick, with a compass mounted in the head, in recognition for having outrun an enemy steamer and safely returned to New Orleans from Havana with desperately needed arms, powder, and coffee.

Book excerpt: David B. Warren, Michael K. Brown, Elizabeth Ann Coleman, and Emily Ballew Neff.  American Decorative Arts and Paintings in the Bayou Bend Collection. Houston: Princeton Univ. Press, 1998.


ProvenanceCaptain Thomas Forbes (1817–1906), Sherman, Texas; inherited by his son, Thomas Forbes, Jr.: inherited by his daughter Bessye (Mrs. T. W. House, III, 1877–1946); inherited by her son Edward M. House, II; given to MFAH, 1993.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Engraved on four sides of the octagonal head: Capt. [t superscript with period [.] underneath] Forbes / Presented by / N.C.T. / Feb.y 9th.. [th superscript with two periods [..] underneath] [while the initials imply an individual's name, they could stand for Navigating Cuban Territory]
[no marks]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Bottle and Stand
1736–1796
.A Ceramic with gold filigree and turquoise inset .B Ceramic with gold filigree and lapis lazuli inset
2013.462.A,.B
Dish and Stand
1736–1796
.A Ceramic with gold filigree and turquoise inset .B Ceramic with gold filigree and lapis lazuli inset
2013.463.A,.B
"Stumped" Necklace
Laurie Hall
1994
Wood, sterling silver, and antique compass
2002.3793
Looking Glass
c. 1750–1820
Mahogany veneer, unidentified secondary woods, gold leaf, and mirrored glass
B.2012.205
Punch or Toddy Ladle
William Hollingshead
c. 1754–1785
Silver and unidentified wood
B.2012.13
Coffeepot or Teapot
Roswell Gleason
c. 1830–1870
Pewter (britannia metal), unidentified wood
B.75.70
Coffeepot
Ebenezer Smith, Jr.
c. 1814–1825
Pewter with unidentified wood
B.2013.32
Ladle
Albert Coles
c. 1840–1870
Silver, unidentified wood
B.2005.9
Design for the Rouen Cathedral Tower
Roulland le Roux
1516
Pen and ink, gray wash, stylus and compass marks, with traces of metalpoint on parchment attached to a later wooden spool
2018.123
Ornamental Vase
early 20th century
Jade with inset semi-precious stones
2013.484.A,.B
Overall front
20th century
Silver with copper inset; fire-gilded, with decorative wire, embossing, stamped beading, turquoise beads, and glass stones
2023.589
The Poetical Works of Thomas Gray. The Aldine Edition of the British Poets.
Thomas Gray
1853
Set of five books, bound in red morocco with marblized paper-covered boards and gold tooling to the spine
B.2011.16.1-.5