Object

Result 1 of 1

Record Image
Accession No TH.3931
Name/Title CANE, WHALE BONE
Brief Description This cane or walking stick is made of whale bone. Two-thirds of the shaft is carved to represent a twist while the lower third is plain. The knob, or handle, is made from whale bone or tooth ivory and is separated from the shaft by two rings of baleen. The knob is carved to represent a plaited knot and handle carved with a diamond line pattern.

While whales were hunted mainly for their oil, which was manufactured into lamp fuel, cooking oil, margarine, candles, soaps, cosmetics, perfumes and machinery and car lubricant, baleen, or "whalebone" was also used for corsets, umbrellas, canes, brushes and bone meal fertiliser. Tendons were used to string tennis racquets. Whale meat was eaten and is still considered a delicacy in Japan and Norway.
Classification Cane/Personal Gear/Personal Artifacts/Nomenclature
Primary Prod Place Unknown
Measurement Reading 90.5cm
Select this result

Whanganui Regional Museum

TEL: 64 (6) 349 1110

FAX: 64 (6) 347 6512

EMAIL US

FINDING US

Main entrance from the forecourt of
the War Memorial Hall, Watt Street.

MUSEUM HOURS

10.00 am - 4.30 pm seven days

Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday

Archive Hours Monday to Friday 10.00 am - 1.00 pm