Galileo’s Vision
Exhibition
- Galileo, immagini dell’universo dall’Antichità al telescopio
(Galileo, Images of The Universe from Antiquity to The Telescope)
Palazzo Strozzi, Florence
March 13 – August 30, 2009.
At this moment in Florence there is a fascinating exhibition dedicated to the history of astronomy and, naturally, to Galileo who moved from Pisa to live there at the age of 8. Galileo Galilei (1564- 1642) was an Italian astronomer, physicist and mathematician. An important philosopher, he played a vital rôle in the Scientific Revolution.
The fact that science can be beautiful is clearly illustrated in this extensive exhibition, which is dedicated to the history of astronomy and to this great astronomer. Galileo observed and analysed the solar spots, confirmed the phases of Venus and discovered the four largest satellites of Jupiter, which were named the Galilean moons in his honour.
- The Galilean Moons
This, the International Year of Astronomy, affords an unique opportunity to unite 250 objects at Florence’s Palazzo Strozzi. There are ancient objects, atlases from the XVIIth century, telescopes and many works of art.
One of Galileo’s only two remaining telescopes is on display. Amongst this treasure trove, in this bewitching city, there will surely be an antique telescope cane. Recently, in the article ‘The Beauty Within’ we featured the microscope cane belonging to Geoffrey Bridges. The magic of canes is that from small to large is always a possibility – a ‘Beauty Within’.
Here are a few more modern and modest examples, but we welcome your feedback and Illustrations of personal favourites. Naturally, these are more suited to the opera stage, a stag on a hillside or the grouse in the heather than the Milky Way. The principle remains the same, however, it’s just the scale that is altered. We look forward to your views on these objects, both antique and modern.
- Contemporary USA: Telescope Cane with Hip Flask
- England 1820: A Regency Metamorphic Walking Stick
(Brass Extending Telescope)
- Ivory-Handled Telescope Cane with Antique Brass Telescope
The Beauty Within
Of course, as Geoffrey Breeze of Geoffrey Breeze Antique Canes so aptly put it to me,
“Walking sticks are nothing to do with walking and canes are not about caning.”
There are, of course, many canes with a hidden internal, secondary or additional purpose. Geoffrey was recently showing a magnificent microscope cane. The handle, crafted in silver, is engraved with the monogram of a French marquis. Unscrewing the top reveals a microscope in working order and a special section that holds tweezers and microscope slides. This brilliant piece of design sits upon a tripod base that extends from the ferrule when it is use – obviously conceived for keeping it steady when in the field. What a brilliant idea!
An old friend of mine, Fritz Spiegl, was a flautist, a radio presenter and a publisher as well as being a great raconteur and wit. He was often seen about London sporting his cane that unscrewed and contained a flute, which he would play, given half a chance.
His own mind was full of equally brilliant ideas. For his ‘April Fools’ and ‘Nuts in May’ concert series, he always invented brilliant musical combinations and even instrumental cross-pollinations.
The ‘Loophonium’, for which Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery ‘splashed out’ (I quote the press release) £2, 640, was recently acquired at a Sotheby’s auction by the Walker. Fritz made fun with music and so, surely, did the cane maker of his flute cane who knew how to make a cane and a flute.
A mock-Victorian, flower-painted, porcelain lavatory bowl replaced the (upturned) euphonium bell in a spectacularly surreal musical instrument of Fritz’ invention (‘Loophonium’ circa 1960). They joined forces at the loo’s ‘exhaust’. A wooden lyre in the form of a lid seat completed the amazing amalgamation. The strings of the lyre being reminiscent of those of a harp, a further play on words gave this incredible contraption its alternative name – the ‘Harpic-phone’.
Fritz Speigl's Loophonium (or Harpic-phone)
So, having discovered that it is possible to mix two subjects (or more) to make something new (or old) with a twist (or two), let us investigate what is made along these hidden lines in the cane world today. We have just investigated the play station, iPod and mobile phone amongst others, after all!
boast some excellent ideas on their web site. After almost 180 years, this legendary company continues to manufacture the ingenious hidden treasures – the beauty within.
There is the corkscrew cane, the cane containing four dice, a pipe, two silver plated cups and a glass flask with Maplewood stick – or, the special Toulouse-Lautrec version with two glasses, glass flask and a stick made from laminated tropical hardwoods.
Toulouse-Lautrec with More Modest Model.
Do you know of any special cane with surprising beauty within? Do write to us and send us your photos. We will be delighted to publish the most interesting.
Naturally, there are many examples of the sword cane and other concealed weapons, but what else? Share your treasures with us!
Masonic Canes
Of all the societies and brotherhoods that bestow their individual emblems and insignias upon accessories, there is non globally larger than Freemasonry. There have been many canes designed throughout history for this worldwide fraternity – and sorority.
From rings to cufflinks, pendants to key rings and so much more, the freemason is proud to display h{is|er} emblems. Naturally, in some countries the bling is more pronounced than others. What some would consider tasteful would be thought of as ostentatious to the more reserved character. That doesn’t concern us. Neither do pro or anti points of view about any global organisation. We concern ourselves with any society inasmuch as their influence has touched upon the art of cane design.
The simplest model, like this one, is available from many suppliers in red or blue.
From here to a masterpiece of geometrical design is a big step – and what a tour de force of intricacy this is! Usually seen as a pendant or pocket watch fob in days gone by, here is the Masonic ball in full crafted splendour.
This is the ‘Golden Globe and Cross Cane’ and a full explanation of these intricate symbolic designs can be found on the Phoenixmasonry Masonic Museum web site
In total contrast to this, Artisans of The Valley hand craft Mason’s staffs from wood.
Slightly more sophisticated is the ‘Masonic Coin with Stone’ walking stick badge that you can embed into any cane you might happen to have in your personal collection. This is made by Irish Gifts walking stick accessories.
Masonic canes are also available in carved bone enclosing a glass tube with cork stopper, by Stone Jewellery.
From bone back to wood again, in another style, there is a model in ash. It is well endowed with Masonic allegory. Freemasonstore.com recommends a 3-4 week delay to allow for the hand carving. Naturally, no two models are identical.
There are many Masonic swords, but is there a Masonic sword cane? Do let us know if you have one. SwordsDirect.com boasts a large selection of Masonic swords and daggers.
Other variations of the carving spectrum, in wood, are Masonic carved Folk Art cane at Anonymous Works.
and the padauk Hardwood model from Twin City Masonic Supply.
Do you have any models to share with us? Be sure to write and let us know.
Festival of The Imagination
From March 3rd to April 10th the thirteenth Festival de l’Imaginaire (Festival of The Imagination): a festival, devoted to the kaleidoscope of world cultures, is taking place in Paris.
There is a wonderful song, written by Jimmy Van Heusen (1913 -1990; real name Edward Chester Babcock), with lyrics by Johnny Burke (1908 -1964); the crème de la crème of the golden era of popular music in the United States. Its title is ‘Imagination’ – which one would certainly need for the above change of name, or presuming it was an improvement!
The lyrics of this haunting melody made so popular by Frank Sinatra, should be projected onto the walls of the Maison des cultures du monde, where this exhibition is taking place
Imagination is funny
It makes a cloudy day sunny
So true, the lines hold the vibration of a mantra. There is no limit to Imagination’s power or to its extent. Imagination is limitless and is the DNA of all Art. Comparing the art and music of different countries, to illustrate showing their cultures juxtaposed, inevitably contrasts their costumes and taste in apparel – if given enough exhibition space.
The cane is one of the most universal examples of an object that is employed by every culture in a myriad of designs, uses and materials. I make an editorial plea for a ‘Museum of The Cane’ to preserve rare antiques and illustrate the imagination of those who are brave enough to create an ‘object of meaning’ in this medium today.
The truly creative mind in any field is no more than
this: A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly
sensitive. To him… a touch is a blow, a sound is a
noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is death.
Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering
necessity to create, create, create — so that without the
creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or
something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from
him. He must create, must pour out creation. By some
strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive
unless he is creating.
Pearl Sydenstricker Buck (1892-1973: also known as Sai Zhen Zhu, Pulitzer Prize winner and laureate of the Nobel Prize for Literature).
Without any ridicule or sense of irony Ms. Buck has been described as a ‘Chinese writer’. So, imagination is the key process for that magical metamorphosis from being American to being Chinese; from being enveloped in cloud to basking in the sun; from finite folly to hallucinating haziness; from a piece of wood to a work of art.
The House of Guerlain (founded 1828) was creating some of its masterpieces, in Paris, at the same time as Smith & Son (founded 1830) was doing exactly the same thing in London. How many canes have carried a flask of eau de cologne or perfume across the centuries? The aroma of pipe tobacco or the kick of a whiff of brandy, were never as subtle. Did the cane designed to carry the essence have more refinement or a different perspective from the craftsman’s point of view? This is just one of many reasons for which we need to assemble examples and compare them visually.
Canes are tactile objects. They appear well in photographs but are even more wonderful in reality. Who is content to look at illustrations of the crown jewels when visiting them in person blows one away with the wonder of scintillating gems? The photograph seizes the moment. On still film, sparking diamonds can only be rendered without the movement necessary to bestow their magic upon them. Similarly, carving is a simultaneous appreciation of 360 degrees; not separate front, back and side views. The impact, no matter how well done, is not the same as feasting one’s eyes upon the real thing.
The imagination of craftsmen, artisans and artists over the years, through time and around the globe, should be preserved in one place. Today’s designers and creators must be applauded for their continued imagination alongside those of the past.
Imagination is crazy
Your whole perspective gets hazy
In the meantime, we do point you in the direction of our Books and Literature page to track some of the best, richly illustrated tomes on the subject. Should you know of a museum about which we dream and are not informed, be sure to let us know and we will feature it in pride of place!
Breezing Along with Geoffrey
Our Canning Town Spotlight for March is focused on the wonders of the antique cane world and Geoffrey Breeze’s devotion to its cause. Geoffrey Breeze Antique Canes is a wonderful example of how the passion for canes, their history and art, can take over one’s life. Geoffrey runs a newsletter, which is well worth joining to keep aware of the treasures of the past and abreast of the venues at which he has them on exhibition and for sale. It is indicated on the home page of his web site. Sign up for information and illustrations of this magnificent booty, fruit of devotion and painstaking research.
As he explained so eloquently to me,
“ My breakthrough moment came when I realised that walking sticks are nothing to do with walking and canes are not about caning.”
I really think that is a brilliant take on our cane world and it applies to the imagination and artistry of today’s contemporary cane as much as it does to the treasures of the past.
“It is this combination of academic and artistic that I have often noticed marks out the interesting type of person that becomes a cane collector.”
An interesting observation.
Geoffrey lives in Bath, surely a perfect setting for the antique cane, where he opened his first antique shop in 1972 specialising in antique English furniture.
One of the finest thermal spas in the ancient world, the town is a delight and its Roman Baths, magnificent.
For about a quarter of a century, antique furniture was his passion. Then, about ten years or so ago he started to gather a few odd canes in his gallery – mostly as decoration for antique stick and umbrella stands. However, as time went by, more and more of them including tall canes, staffs of office, beadle staffs, drum majors’ marching sticks, Georgian dandy canes and decorative Alpine hiking staffs transformed his shop into “a forest of canes”, as he colourfully explained.
“I realised that they are fashion accessories, the ultimate male accessory and that they are about fashion, power, art and personal identity. My life is now about sharing this vision and passion with others.”
Well, yes, that used to be true and in the antique world, it mostly was true unless one happened to be a lady monarch with a rather fetching sceptre.
In Cane News we are very happy to show how the use of the cane, today, can be equally the ultimate accessory for the well-dressed woman. How many dog lovers, be they men or women, would like to carry the image of their carved canine pet; how many equestrians their handsome horse; cat lovers their favourite feline? The variations are endless and often breathtakingly beautiful, expressed in a myriad of precious materials and a sprinkling of humour as befits the caricature.
Be sure to follow Geoffrey Breeze and his superb collection of objects of beauty and keep yourself informed of his next exhibition. This is really the putting together of the wonders of the past: the skill of the artist and the desires of those who commissioned the pieces: a window into history and works of art that are indeed very collectable. From fun to fashion – there is nothing like a cane!
