Walking stick with a female nude and a Breton sabot on the handle
Original title: Walking stick with a female nude and a Breton sabot on the handle
kurzbeschreibung
A carved walking stick by Paul Gauguin, made around 1888–90, brings together boxwood with mother-of-pearl, glass, and iron. The handle is adorned with a nude female figure and a Breton wooden shoe, woven into an ornamental structure.
Description
A long, cylindrical shaft, worked from a single piece of wood, tapers toward the tip. At the top, an unclothed woman rises in a lively pose, arms and legs extended. Snake motifs are inserted between the figure and the end of the stick. The wood's surface shows fine patterns and natural tones; a small black tip at the bottom likely served as a writing implement.
Context
During his stay in Brittany, where he engaged with rural motifs and folk art, Gauguin created this stick. The Breton wooden shoe (sabot) points to the region, while the female nude and the snakes reflect his interest in exotic and symbolist imagery. In this phase, he reinterpreted traditional materials and craft techniques.
Impact
The stick feels enigmatic, almost magical, through the union of elegant, flowing lines and unusual motifs. It oscillates between utilitarian object and autonomous artwork. The detailed surface holds the eye and invites lingering.
Technique
The stick is carved from a single piece of boxwood, which allows for precise, fine work. Mother-of-pearl (from the black-lip pearl oyster), glass, and iron were also used, presumably for inlays or the tip. The natural grain of the wood was skillfully integrated into the ornamental design.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)