An exceptional 19th-century Chinese hand-carved hardwood walking cane featuring a fierce Foo Dog or dragon head handle — with an extraordinary detail: a free-moving wooden ball carved within its open mouth. Too large to have been inserted post-carving, this intricate “trick ball” demonstrates the immense skill and precision of traditional Chinese artisans, often associated with “devil’s work” or puzzle carvings.
The full-length cane measures approximately 92cm and is carved from richly grained hardwood with a deep reddish-brown patina. Flowing dragon-scale and feather-like designs continue down the shaft, culminating in a traditional metal ferrule.
The expressive head, carved in-the-round, features bold eyes, stylised mane, flared nostrils, and open jaws — where the free-spinning ball adds a sense of life and movement.
This is not only a walking cane but a collector’s piece of cultural art — ideal for display, gifting, or collecting. Natural surface wear, minor age-related splits, and scuffs are visible but do not detract from its integrity or beauty.
💬 Please Read Before Purchasing:
We always aim to price our items fairly — often below market value — but we're also open to reasonable offers. If you're interested in a specific piece or looking to buy multiple items, feel free to message us — we’re happy to discuss discounts or bundle deals.
📦 Postage is included in the price for all customers in UK.
For the rest of our International Customers including USA and Canada postage costs will be calculated at checkout and are based on weight and sent using a tracked service by our Royal Mail Postal Service
Please do contact us at info@antiqueforager.com for a postage quote for several items and we will happily give you a quote from the same service
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