AN ITALIAN MOTHER-OF-PEARL INSET 800 STANDARD SILVER GILT DIVINA COMMEDIA CANE Circa 1890 The silver milord handle modelled as a tree trunk with overlaid moonstone cabochon inset silver branches revealing three cartouches, one depicting two Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta from Dante's Divine Comedy embracing, one inscribed Galeotto / tu il libro / e chi lo scrisse / quel giorno / piu non vi leggemmo / avante, the other inscribed Amor / ch'al cor gentil / ratto s'apprende / Amor / ch'a nullo amalo / amor / perdonna., on an ebony shaft with a metal ferrule. height overall 35in (88.9cm); height of handle 3 1/4in (8.3cm); diameter 1 1/4in (3.2cm) Footnotes: The two quotes inscribed on the handle are from Dante's The Divine Comedy. The first is spoken by Francesca da Rimini while trapped in the circle of Lust, the second circle of Hell, with her lover Paolo Malatesta. The second is also spoken by Francesca describing how her love for her brother-in-law Paolo was all-consuming and unavoidable. Provenance Il Segno del Tempo, Milan; Collection of Eddi Van Auken, California, purchased from the above July 2009. Literature Van Auken, Eddi. Masterpieces: The Eddi Van Auken Collection of Antiques Walking Sticks and Canes. Silvia Editrice, Milan, 2025, pages 420-421, number 326. (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