A lovely, petite porcelain cane with a velvet case. The porcelain handle is 1 2/3” high and 2/3” at its widest. It is beautifully hand-painted with a scene of a courting couple in a sylvan setting. The maiden is holding a small bouquet in her hand. The porcelain is capped with an elaborately decorated silver dome and there is a thin matching base. The custom case has an old brass latch that provides access. Inside the case is a piece of paper that says: “Marshall Foults cane” in ink. Unfortunately, the writer is unknown. (Jean-de-Dieu Soult, 1709-1851, 1st Duke of Dalmatia, was a famous French general and statesman who was named Marshall of the Empire in 1804. A Wikipedia paper with his picture and his illustrious history will accompany this lot.) The thin, flexible shaft is perhaps malacca that has been worked with brown painting and thin parallel black lines for its entire length. It terminates with a 7/8” aged brass and iron ferrule. The overall length is 33 7/8” and the condition is very good. (The case has faded with age but is undamaged.) It is French, ca1815, and it is a splendid example of handsome cane that was meant just to be carried, and that may have belonged to a famous historical figure. Estimate: $1500-$2500