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Lot 14

A BELGIAN ROCK CRYSTAL AND OPAL INSET 800 STANDARD SILVER BEETLE CANE
Designed and executed by Philippe Wolfers, Brussels, 1900-1905

8 December 2025, 15:00 EST
New York

US$5,000 - US$8,000

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A BELGIAN ROCK CRYSTAL AND OPAL INSET 800 STANDARD SILVER BEETLE CANE

Designed and executed by Philippe Wolfers, Brussels, 1900-1905
The rock crystal orb cradled by beetles with opal-inset eyes, on a Macassar ebony shaft with a metal ferrule.
height overall 33 1/2in (85.1cm); height of handle 3in (7.6cm); width 1 1/2in (3.8cm)

Footnotes

Philippe Wolfers (Belgian, 1858-1929) was born into a jeweler's family, Wolfers Frères, founded by his father, Louis Wolfers. Wolfers was closely associated with Art Nouveau and Japonisme, specializing in naturalistic insects, plants, and linework. After establishing his own workshop, Wolfers made a series of 136 Art Nouveau objects in eight years, all of them marked EX UNIQUE, such as this piece.

Provenance
Il Segno del Tempo, Milan;
Collection of Eddi Van Auken, California, purchased from the above April 2009.

Literature
Van Auken, Eddi. Masterpieces: The Eddi Van Auken Collection of Antiques Walking Sticks and Canes. Silvia Editrice, Milan, 2025, pages 64-65, number 33. (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.

Additional information