32. Erotic Ivory Ball Cane -Ca. 1880-This is the very best carving that we have seen in this style. The two very daring and vibrant scenes within sphere are expertly deep and lace-like carved with extraordinary facial expressions and body language. The hinge is very good and tight on this example with a knobby blackthorn branch and a white metal collar and ferrule. So far, so good, however, what makes this cane more special is the ribbed surface and character lines of the ivory knob which give it the appearance of a giant clam and the shaved knobs on the shaft and their darker cores which bring to mind feminine breasts and nipples. This is probably the reason why the previous owner always proudly referred to it as the “The Garden of Earthly Delights”.H. 2 ¼” diameter, O.L. 36 ½” $5,000