24. Spectacular Ivory Native American Indian Cane-Ca. 1880-Substantial walrus ivory knob carved with a Chief Head wearing his parade feather head dress. The portrait respects the traditional Red Indian iconography and sport a multitude of fine details and feathers, starting on top of the heads and cascading the wearer’s necks. Well-dressed malacca shaft with high ridge and a long horn ferrule. American Indian motifs are desirable and strongly requested collectables as they have the crossover appeal of associating with more than one collecting field to boost their value. At the same time, buyers and collectors who want to redefine their cultural identity in the face of an ever increasing global assimilation, gladly identify themselves in the New World with all American Indian motifs. In any case, a remarkable echo of early American history surfaces today, here with this cane of most likely Viennese origin. The shaft bears an older and worn label of “RIDDETT & ADAM SMITH/Specialist Auctioneers and Valuers/of/Antiques & Fine Art/BOURNEMOUTH”-H. 4” x 2 ¼”, O.L. 37 ½”-The American Indian motif appeared first in Vienna after 1860 and quickly became very popular reaching its high point with Karl Kauba’s bronze sculptures. These were manufactured and retailed by Mathias Bergmann, who was awarded a commendation for his outstanding works at the Vienna International Exhibition in 1873. The same motif was the day’s command of Frederic Sackrider Remington in the United States, who combined it with horses and cowboys in his outstanding bronzes. The Wild West Show with the legendary Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull also triggered enormous interest in that line and was also here a source of inspiration to the artist.