France, Saint Cloud, 18th century / c. 1745
Cane Handle (Poignée de canne)
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Cane Handle (Poignée de canne) as ceramic (France, Saint Cloud, 18th century · c. 1745).
The colorful overglaze enamel that decorates this cane handle was typical of Japanese Kakiemon decoration.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this ceramic as soft-paste porcelain with enamel decoration and credits Saint Cloud Porcelain Factory (French).
The museum's collection notes: During the first half of the 18th century, porcelain cane handles were widely produced by the Saint-Cloud porcelain factory. This cane handle, molded in the shape of the head and torso of an Asian man, is representative of the popularity of chinoiserie, European designs that attempted to imitate the art, culture, and techniques of China and Japan.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtCane Handle (Poignée de canne)Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.