AN ENGLISH 900 STANDARD SILVER OVERLAID FRUITWOOD 'WAND OF OFFICE' CANE FOR JAMES BURKIN Unmarked, dated 1689 The knobbed fruitwood cane with silver scalloped plaque collar inscribed In memory of James Burkin Esqr Merchnt / in Mincing lane buried in St Dunstans / Church 10th Nov 1689 / This Staff secured by Mr Rich Grew is by / him recommended to posterity as A Mace / for Mincing lane Precinct at ye Choosing / Common Councell Man and other Officers / being the same which Mr Burkin / used to Ride withall, the silver ferrule inscribed Transferd by IAMES PHILLIPS to / WALTER IONES AN: DOM: 1749. height overall 41 1/4in (104.8cm); diameter 2 1/4in (5.7cm) Footnotes: A 'Precinct Mace' or 'Wand of Office' was a symbol of royal authority used by officials in Parliament, Law Enforcement, and other civic roles. James Burkin (English of Dutch descent, 1622-1677) was a Common Councilor of the City of London and merchant with trading companies amongst Baltic ports, Africa, and India. The staff was owned by Burkin in his lifetime, the plaque later mounted and dedicated after his death. This particular staff was later gifted to Alderman James Phillips and Common Councilor Walter Jones, as inscribed on the ferrule. Rosemary Weinstein describes in her 1984 article in Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society, 'Maces, or wands of office, are recorded from at least the 13th century, but possession of maces by the wards is peculiar to the City of London. Some 17th century ward maces survive, but none hitherto described specifically as a precinct mace.' The staff also bears the label of the Exhibition of Art Treasures held at the Grafton Galleries, Bond Street, London in 1928. This exhibition was organized by J. Rochelle-Thomas, who founded the British Antique Dealers' Association ten years prior. Provenance Geoffrey Breeze Antique Canes, London; Collection of Eddi Van Auken, California, purchased from the above August 2012. Literature Van Auken, Eddi. Masterpieces: The Eddi Van Auken Collection of Antiques Walking Sticks and Canes. Silvia Editrice, Milan, 2025, pages 196-197, number 153. (illustrated); Weinstein, Rosemary. 'A Mace for Mincing Lane Precinct,' Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society, Volume 2.35 (1984): pages 87-90, plates 1 & 2. (illustrated) Exhibition Exhibition of Art Treasures. 1928, Grafton Galleries, Bond Street, London, no. 593; 1982, Museum of London. 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