72. Ivory Fox Cane-Ca. 1870-The fox is naturalistically rendered perched on a beautiful, long plinth with raised front paw and shows all its characterizing features including a pointed and slightly upturned snout, upright triangular ears and long bushy tail. The fine carving is underscored by delicate undercuts and a superb natural patina and comes on a slender malacca shaft with a 4” tall ivory ferrule. We have good reasons to believe that this cane draws direct inspiration from the illustrations of Goethe’s fable “Reineke Fuchs”, “Reynard the Fox” by Wilhelm von Kaulbach.-The later stimulated a whole generation of artists including ivory carvers who adapted these to cane handles and chess sets. -H. 5 ½” x 2”, O.L. 35 ¾”-The fox is often associated with the figure of the trickster, but as a spirit animal, it can also turn into a teacher providing guidance on swiftly finding your way around obstacles. If you follow the fox totem wisdom, you may be called to use or develop quick thinking and adaptability. Responsive, sometimes cunning, this power animal is a great guide when you are facing tricky situations.