A CONTINENTAL 9K GOLD OVERLAID AMETHYST MEMENTO MORI CANE Possibly Italian The carved amethyst handle depicting a skull and snake with diamond inset eyes, the right half of the head with an overlaid gold bearded face of a dead man with torn parts of the skin revealing the underlying amethyst, above a gold collar with applied gold initials LB and inset amethyst crest. height overall 37in (94cm); height of handle 3 1/2in (8.9cm); width 2 1/2in (6.4cm) Footnotes: The initials LB purportedly referring to Luigi Bisignano. Provenance Il Segno del Tempo, Milan; Collection of Eddi Van Auken, California. Literature Van Auken, Eddi. Masterpieces: The Eddi Van Auken Collection of Antiques Walking Sticks and Canes. Silvia Editrice, Milan, 2025, pages 140-141, number 102. (illustrated) Condition reports are not provided in catalog descriptions. The absence of a condition report does not guarantee that the lot is in good condition or free from damage and wear. We encourage you to request a condition report and/or additional photos prior to bidding on any lot. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing