Here we have an intricately carved snake cane created in the trenches of World War 1. The old trench art cane was likely created by a soldier in the 4th Infantry Division during their 1918 campaign in France. You know how much I love snake canes, yet I've never seen one that is linked to such a significant cause in world history. It starts off with Ivy leaves at the top, then the initials "J.C." carved within a heart. After that, most of the carved documentation taking place between the coils of the snake. Unreal.
Here's what we can gather about its history and background:
The 4th Infantry Division in WWI
Formation and Nickname: The 4th Infantry Division was formed in 1917 and quickly earned the nickname "Ivy Division" due to the Roman numeral IV resembling ivy leaves.
Deployment to France: The division arrived in France in May 1918 and saw extensive action on the Western Front during some of the war's most crucial battles.
Key Engagements: The locations carved on the cane correspond to significant locations where the 4th Division fought:
Thil, Lay-Saint-Remy: Small villages in northeastern France that saw fighting during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
Haironville: A village near the Meuse River, also involved in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
Bouffémont, Emeville, Villers-Cotterêts: Locations near the Marne River, where the 4th Division fought in the Second Battle of the Marne.
Grand Rozoy: A village in the Aisne region, scene of heavy fighting during the Aisne-Marne Offensive.
Tahure: A village in the Champagne region, where the 4th Division participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
Vouziers: A strategically important town in northeastern France, captured by the 4th Division in November 1918.
Trench Art: Trench art was a common practice among soldiers during WWI. They used salvaged materials (like shell casings, bullets, and wood) to create decorative and functional objects.
Personal Record: The antique snake cane likely served as a personal memento for the soldier who created it, documenting their journey and the battles they fought in.
Symbolism: The snake motif might hold symbolic meaning. Snakes can represent healing, transformation, and resilience, perhaps reflecting the soldier's experiences during the war.
This cane is a tangible link to the 4th Infantry Division's experiences on the Western Front. It offers a glimpse into the life of a soldier who witnessed some of the most intense fighting of WWI. It's a testament to their service, artistry, and resilience.
Based on my interpretation, the engravings state the following:
Thil Laypil 1918
Haironville 10 Juin 1918
Bouffemont 18 Juillet 1918
Emeville 31 Juillet 1918
Villers Cutterets 18 Juillet 1918
Grand Rozoy 28 Juillet 1918
Nanpsel 10 (illegible) 1918
Tahur 10 Octobre 1918
Vouziers (illegible)
The rare WW1 folk art walking stick came out of a collector's estate in the Twin Cities.
The World War 1 cane measures 36" tall. There is light patina throughout the cane. Please see all pics as they are part of the description.
I ship FedEx to street addresses in the continental USA only (no PO boxes). Free shipping for the WW1 folk art walking stick.
This historic cane is more than just a folk art object; it's a window into a pivotal chapter of World War I history, wrapped up in a wicked snake. You had me before "hello."
