Art Nouveau rose quartz, gold, ruby, emerald and diamond walking stick

Art Nouveau rose quartz, gold, ruby, emerald and diamond walking stick
Russian, c. 1900
Height 91cm, width 7cm, depth 1.5cm
 
This superb walking stick, crafted around 1900, embodies the elegance of the Art Nouveau style, which was prevalent in Europe during that era. The key characteristics of the style, such as flowing, nature-inspired shapes, are evident in this exquisite piece.
 
The crook-shaped handle is meticulously crafted from rose quartz, a gemstone renowned for its association with love and harmony. Both ends of the handle are elegantly mounted in gold, adorned with finely engraved floral patterns and enhanced with sparkling diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. The collar, crafted to echo the ornate design of the handle, is adorned with larger stones, beautifully accentuating their bold green and pink hues. 
 
The rich, dark wood shaft gradually tapers towards the bottom, finishing with a protective metal ferrule. The gold elements are stamped with spurious markings, including a Cyrillic ‘KF’ and the ‘56’ hallmark.
 
A truly remarkable piece, this decorative walking stick would make a magnificent gift for a lady, perfectly encapsulating the grandeur and refinement of the Art Nouveau era.