"Ancient African American Walking Stick, Cakewalk Dance, Slavery"
Rare African American walking stick with a pommel depicting an African head and a shaft carved with the inscription "Cake Walk." The Cake Walk, or Cake-Walk, was a dance that emerged on Florida plantations in the 1850s, during which enslaved people mimicked the haughty gait of their white masters. Later, this dance style could be seen in music hall performances. This type of walking stick was sold as a souvenir in the late 19th century. The shaft is made of bamboo. The ferrule and ring are metal. The entire cane measures 35,43 inches. United States, dating from the late 19th century.