|
Home
>
Worthopedia – Price Guide
>
Furniture & Furnishings >
ANTIQUE IRISH SHILLELAGH WALKING STICK RARE AND UNUSUAL
|
Terms and Conditions for using our site |
ANTIQUE IRISH SHILLELAGH WALKING STICK RARE AND UNUSUAL
Sold For:
 or Sign In to see what it's worth.
ANTIQUE IRISH SHILLELAGH WALK STICK VERY RARE & UNUSUAL PLEASE HAVE A LOOK AT THE OTHER VERY INTERESTING COLLECTIBLES WE HAVE LISTED we have an antique Irish shillelagh/ walking stick which is very rare and unusual made from a black thorn branch and has all the burrs on the stick shaft with a fantastic burr knot as a handle or "whopping end" as they say in Texas--tip is made of copper has age crack which has an old repair see diamond metal implants you will see the photos also a cord threaded in a copper collared hole to hang by the door for and when you would require this Irish Shillelagh--has some chips to the original old bark THIS ITEM IS A RECENT IMPORT FROM THE UK SIZES shillelagh is 38" long and 3" by 2"1/2" head POSTAGE in the US is $12 please email for other destinations IT HAS BEEN SAID "A MAN WITHOUT A BLACKTHORN STICK IS A MAN WITHOUT AN EXPEDIENT." The Irish cudgel/cane which is known by many names, the most popular used by Anglo writers being Shillelagh, has come to symbolize Irish culture almost as much as the Shamrock. Often seen nowadays as a tourist favorite at airport giftshops. A quaint little twisted knobby stick complete with a green bow and a nifty painted shamrock can be found anyw t may be a tourist looking for an Irish souvenier. This handy little item has very little to do with the oaken or blackthorn cudgel of the early 19th century and earlier. The original shillelagh gets it name from it's point of origin, the Shillelagh forest near Arklow in county Wicklow. The Shillelagh forest was widely known throughout the British Isles as being one of the finest areas that oak could be obtained from. Unforntunately most of the Irish oak was exported to England for use in the manufacture of pipe stems a little comfort can be found in the knowledge that many of the most famous buildings of western europe were built with imported oak from Ireland, including Westminster Hall in England and the Stadthouse in Holland. When an English writer saw a cudgel made of oak the name Shillelagh first came to mind. Various woods were used in the construction of the fighting stick or bata in Gaeilge. Oak and Blackthorn were the two most popular species as well as Ash and Holly. Sometimes the business end was hollowed out and filled with molten lead....this is known as a loaded stick. Blackthorn is a very strong and easy to find wood. The knob on the end of a blackthorn stick is the rootknob and packs one helluva whallop. The bark is left on for added toughness and often a metal ferrule is secured at the end opposite of the knob. To keep the wood from splitting during the drying process the Irishman would often bury the cudgel in a dung heap or smear with butter then place in the chimney to cure. Folklorist Padraic Colum says the oaken cudgel should not be considered a symbol of Ireland but a badge of honor for those who carried it. From a young age Irish boys were exposed to the traditions of the bata, when they came of age to carry a stick it was as if the journey into manhood had taken place. A young man was taught by his father to hold the bata tightly so as not to be taken unaware at the fair. Many young Irishmen practiced with the stick regularly. Constant sparring was needed so as not to lose face at the fair or Pattern. Each faction had a trainer which they called the Maighistir Prionnsa or fencing master who taught the use of the bata. While the stick was carried by the Irishman most everyw he went, it was at the fair, wake or pattern that most of the fights broke out. To quote an Irishman at the funeral of his father in northern Leinster "Tis a sad day, when my father is put into the clay, and not even one blow struck at his funeral." This quote helps show the Irish view towards rowdyness at funerals and wakes in the early 1800's. The Factions were sure to be present at both wakes and fairs often roughing up a person who had refused to join them but more often fighting members of other factions over some insult real or imaginary o... 
Items in the Worthopedia are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.
View Similar ItemsMore Items from eBay
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Joining is free and gives you access to our Community & Forums.
If you are interested in our pricing data or other paid memberships, try our Full 7-day Free Trial Here.
By creating an account you agree to our Terms & Conditions
