Walking stick, anonymous, c. 1795 - c. 1800

cutting, l c.93cm × d c.4cm More details

Warped wooden walking sticks were introduced by wealthy and fashionable young Frenchmen, who were called the Incroyables (Incredibles) because of their highly eccentric attire. They were rebelling against the Reign of Terror during the Directoire period (1795–1799). To express their refusal to be subject to this rule, they nicknamed their walking sticks pouvoir executive (executive power).