Handvat van hout, waaraan een knop van zwart hoorn in de vorm van een hondenkop met spitse neus c. 1900 - 1930

Curator: Here we have a rather curious object: a walking stick handle dating from around 1900 to 1930. It features a dog's head carved from black horn, affixed to a wooden shaft. Editor: There's an immediate sense of whimsy here. That elongated snout and those beady golden eyes give the dog a sly, almost knowing look. Curator: The artist's choice to represent the dog in this stylized form, using primarily black horn, is striking. Note how the horn’s inherent texture is accentuated, offering both visual depth and a tactile allure. Editor: The dog, across cultures, represents fidelity and guidance. Attaching it to a walking stick, then, becomes rather symbolic—a faithful companion on one's life journey. Perhaps even protection against unseen dangers. Curator: I'm drawn to the sharp angles that define the dog's head, juxtaposed against the smooth, cylindrical form of the wooden handle. The formal tension intrigues; it's not just decorative but pushes against functionality. Editor: Looking at this now, the polished horn almost feels like obsidian—implying hidden depths and a connection to ancient beliefs surrounding animal spirits. What narrative does it weave through its symbols? Curator: What's particularly interesting is how the decorative function takes precedence, almost transforming this walking stick into an expressive sculpture, with the sleek collar binding together nature and fabrication. Editor: I keep coming back to that head. It speaks volumes, it could be a loyal protector, but it could also point towards the darker side, that which can also follow, biting one if provoked. Curator: Indeed, its evocative nature proves the lasting impact and skillful interpretation of a ubiquitous form in this decorative object, offering a glimpse into a period of refined artistry. Editor: Agreed, such is the way cultural memory shifts through symbols; fidelity versus unseen darkness.