A 19th century sailor's whale bone and marine ivory walking cane

A 19th century sailor's whale bone and marine ivory walking cane, with a gilt brass ferrule, inscribed 'J. B-S PYT HOUSE', with a further band with a coat of arms with three rampant lions and initials 'G A', above a hatched and ribbed stem, 86cm long.

The initials on this cane relate to John Montague Benett-Stanford (1870-1947) who was a cinematographer and landowner. He was born and died at Pythouse, West Tisbury, Wiltshire. He served as a young officer in the Royal Dragoons until 1892 and later became a war correspondent and cinematographer in the Sudan campaign and the South African war. Nicknamed 'Mad Jack', his many appearances in court as the plaintiff or defendant, rather than the magistrate, highlighted his eccentricity and passion for practical jokes.