Hafsat Alami - Paris
When some people think of walking sticks, the first thing that comes to their mind is a twisted crutch in the hands of an old man, shaking it from time to time to keep the annoying youth joking.
But the history of fashion reveals to us the story of this adornment, which was one of the basics of noble looks, especially during the long period from 1550 to 1930.
It was acquired by historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi and Louis XIII, and they were endorsed by international actors such as Fred Astaire, James Bond and Charlie Chaplin. Today, this wand is a masterpiece available for collectors and lovers of elegant and rare embellishment.
| The history of fashion reveals to us the story of this adornment, which was one of the basics of the noble looks (the island) |
Decorations of nobles and tales of history
The walking stick began to spread in Europe in the sixteenth century, as it became an important part of a person's body, and therefore certain etiquette was formed regarding it.
For example, the man was not holding his stick under his arm and not resting on it. It was a lack of literature to insert the stick in the presence of an important person like the king, as this stick may have a weapon.
| In the late nineteenth century, the walking stick became an elegant accessory to bourgeois men's fashion, and not only to aristocrats (Al-Jazeera). |
Although the cane was a major accessory for males, it also witnessed common use among women. When women began wearing very tight girdles, the use of sticks spread to put vinegar or aromatic salts into them to bring them back to consciousness in the event of fainting due to lack of oxygen.
In the period of the Golden Age "Belle Epoque", from the late nineteenth century until the beginning of the First World War, the walking stick became an elegant accessory for the fashion of bourgeois men and not only for aristocrats in France.
| When the women started wearing very tight girdles, they spread their use of sticks (Al-Jazeera). |
Walking sticks .. folk art, city and tools
Walking sticks generally fall into three categories, folklore sticks, city sticks, and tool sticks.
In the United States, there were over 1,500 patents for the smart device stick. The stick may contain a weapon such as a sword and arrows, it may have small flasks or sprays that contain perfumes, alcohol or toxins, and cigarettes, makeup and even drawing equipment can be hidden.
The walking stick heads are hand carved, and they are made of wood, bamboo, ebony, ivory, animal horn, and bones. Sometimes it is made of porcelain, bakelite, gold, silver and even glass, and it is also decorated with precious stones.
| Lavier House has maintained its craft of walking sticks since 1909 and has respected this tradition for four generations (Al-Jazeera). |
Garley-Lafayette is one of the last stick makers in France
Lavier has maintained its craft in walking sticks since 1909 and has respected this tradition of handcrafting for four generations, becoming one of the last few makers of these ornaments in France. This family business inherited the most pure French tradition of devising unique styles that combine past, modernity and originality.
| Walking stick heads are hand carved and made of wood, bamboo, ebony, ivory, animal horn, and bone (island) |
The Ministry of Industry granted her the title of "Living Heritage Company" in 2007 as a reward for her craft products concerned with French heritage, manufactured with high quality and luxurious design.
It is worth noting that UNESCO has included the profession of stick manufacturers on the World Heritage List, a step that followed its inclusion in the list of rare crafts in the world.