Rare cane fetches shock £46k in sale

A rare whalebone and walrus tusk walking cane carved by a 19th Century whaler has been sold for £46,000 – more than 10 times the original estimate.

The 35ins-high cane had been kept wrapped in polythene on top of a wardrobe for over 60 years by an elderly lady in Wolverhampton, who hoped its sale might bring in £500.

The delicate antique, thought to have been carved between 1810 and 1825 by a whaler operating out of New Bedford, Massachusetts, was bought by a dealer on behalf of an anonymous overseas buyer at the auction at Perry and Philips in Bridgnorth.

The auctioneers, who had estimated the piece would sell for £2,000 to £4,000, were 'thrilled' by the sale.

John Ridgway, of Perry and Phillips, said the cane was 'an amazing item' and attracted interest from across the world.

He said: "The cane was entered into the auction by an elderly lady who lives in the Wolverhampton area and it had been wrapped up and stored on top of a wardrobe for the last 61 years – she has no idea how her family came by it.

"The atmosphere in the auction room was electric as the bidding passed the £20,000 mark.

"The cane is exquisite, made from whalebone, walrus tusk and inlaid with intricate turtle shell decoration and images of the New World, and we had put a reserve on it of £2,000 to £4,000. However, when we realised during research that it may well be the only one of its kind in the world we became optimistic it might sell for £15,000.

"The buyer was a dealer purchasing it on behalf of an overseas customer – it's possible the cane will be going back to the States, the home of the man who made it more than 200 years ago."