1950/55 BOLD Folk Art Unusual German Hiking Walking Cane Stick Medals

Description

Selling a flamboyant VERY FOLK ART AND HEFTY  decorated antique German wander-stock / hiking stick / walking cane which is paved with 10  stocknagels ("stick nails" / badges).
Length is approximately 35 1/2".  THE CANE IS UNUSUAL BECAUSE IT INCORPORATES A BRANCH FROM THE ORIGINAL TREE AS A TWINING DESIGN DOWN THE SHAFT.  THE CANE IS ALSO SUPER STOCKY WITH A VERY THICK GRIP AND TAPERING SHAFT WITH MANY TINY "STUMPS" WHERE THERE WERE ORIGINALLY BRANCHES.  THE "STUMPS" WERE LEFT INTACT AS ADDITIONAL DECORATIONS.   THIS CANE IS REAL GERMAN FOLK ART WHICH WAS SPECIALLY MADE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, not a stock cane from the local cane maker.   This nice old wanderstock has  the traditional sharp pointed metal tip for good traction. The custom was that when a German decided to go touring  from around 1900 through the early  1970s, he / she
bought a sturdy wood hiking cane, mostly commercially made in Germany, Switzerland or Austria. At every newly visited alp, tourist attraction, zoo, botanical garden, first visit to a country, historical sight or village, the hiker bought a medallion with the name of the town and some sort of illustration. This custom of using the medals on the cane commemorated the places which the hiker visited in the order in which he visited them. After the person became too old to hike, the cane was kept as a fond memento of more active times. Families often held on to these wanderstock as mementos of long gone relatives. Now the owner of this treasured wanderstock is long deceased and the family is selling off their things to finance a move  to the Western part of Germany.   Condition of the wanderstock is excellent, ready to use, display, or in case of home invasion, run the miscreant through with the sharp point and pin him to the wall. Pick up your wanderstock in Pompton Plains, 07444 or will ship via parcel post at buyer's expense. This handsome wanderstock is ready to go hiking with you immediately.