Objects Database

Alpine Walking Stick - homemade

Accession Number

1245.2015.1

Object Name

Alpine Walking Stick - homemade

Created

19/05/2015

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

19/05/2015

Brief Description

Walking stick with wooden shaft and steel ice pick head

Materials

wood, steel

Dimensions

91(l) x 19(length of head) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Colour

brown

Provenance

Though there has been a revolution in the use of walking poles recently in the UK, British walkers were nowhere near as prolific users of walking sticks in days gone by as our fellow wanderers over in the Alpine regions of Europe where it is very unusual to see someone walking in the mountains without a stick of some sort.
We're not sure quite how the tradition began, but Alpine walking sticks are very often made in the form of a lightweight axe which would seem to be a fashion trend rather than a practical one, since few of the sticks are strong enough to function as an axe. These sticks are often referred to as Trophy Sticks, the trophies being little metal badges which are specifically designed to go on the shaft. They can be bought just about anywhere out in the Alpine regions as a record of your visit.
The lovely version we have here in the collection has a head that is more ice axe than walking stick and a shaft that is more stick than axe, with both showing fabulous patina of age. We suspect it's made by a local blacksmith, abroad or maybe at home. It's obviously well travelled and, we think, 100 or so years old. Sadly, as there are no markings to give us a clue to it's origin, ownership or definite age and since we acquired it for a few pounds on the internet there is no other provenance. We suspect the round lump on the top conceals a nut, or similar, which attaches the head to the shaft and is there to make it more comfortable to carry in the hand.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

19/05/2015

Condition Check Date

19/05/2015

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

19/05/2015

Go Back

Related Items

Alpine walking stick
Walking stick

Click to see larger view

Click image for enlarged view

Click to see larger view

Click image for enlarged view

Click to see larger view

Click image for enlarged view

Click to see larger view

Click image for enlarged view

Back to top