Cane 1865 - 1921

This elegant cane was created by the Dorflinger Glass Works, active from 1865 to 1921. Canes in this era were potent symbols of class and gender, particularly for men. More than a mere mobility aid, they signaled respectability, status, and power. The cane was an integral part of a man’s public persona. This particular cane, crafted from glass, complicates traditional notions of masculinity. Glass is fragile, and here replaces the usual sturdy wood or metal. It is as though the Dorflinger Glass Works were asking: Can masculinity itself be fragile, or is it merely a performance of strength? This piece invites us to consider how objects can embody social expectations, and how those expectations can be challenged through artful manipulation. It serves as a poignant reflection on the performative aspects of identity.