Object Description
A Striking 19th Century Longhorn Stick Stand
A unique umbrella and walking stick stand, the tripod design formed from three elongated, curved legs made from animal horn, their natural beige colour enhanced by the patinated bronze fittings, including the decorative finial with trefoil hoops and chased details, the lower bronze platform serving as a drip pan.
Continental, circa 1890
Horn furniture emerged in the 19th century for the European nobility’s hunting lodges, with the earliest examples dating back to 1825 at Count William of Nassau’s German hunting castle. By the late 19th century, horn furniture gained popularity with the rise of International Exhibitions. The Bohemian-born Wenzel Friedrich (1827-1902) introduced horn furniture to America, using Texas longhorn cattle. Notably, Queen Victoria acquired some of his furniture. You can find examples at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, the Yale University Art Gallery and Minneapolis Institute of Art.