Handvat van hout, waaraan een gebogen knop van zwart hoorn, eindigend in een hondenkop van beige hoorn c. 1900 - 1930

This walking stick was made by Gelria, with a handle of wood and a crooked knob of black horn ending in a dog's head carved from beige horn. The handle shows a process of dark staining and subtle burnishing, which brings out the wood’s grain and creates a tactile surface that seems almost to invite touch. The real character here is the dog’s head. It is carved with a soft, almost folksy touch, which is so different from the slickness you might expect from such a functional object. The small, precise cuts that form the dog's features highlight the tactile quality of the horn and the craftsman’s meticulous attention to detail. I love the way it offers a moment of warmth and personality and a gentle nod to the human-animal bond. It reminds me of some of Gaston Lachaise's sculptures, who also found ways to blend the decorative with the deeply personal. It shows how even everyday objects can be transformed into something special through thoughtful design and careful execution.