John LaFarge's Walking Stick
primary
Unknown
Dateabout 1890
Place MadeSamoa, Oceania
MediumCoconut or breadfruit wood
Dimensions96.52 cm (38 in.)
ClassificationsArchival Material
Credit LineIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Accession numberU27e820
eMuseum ID728069
EmbARK ObjectID24908
TMS Source ID9139
Last Updated8/14/24
Status
Not on viewWeb CommentaryA Samoan islander gave this walking stick to artist John LaFarge during his journey throughout the South Pacific between 1890 and 1891. Years later, when LaFarge visited Isabella Stewart Gardner at her museum, he pointed to a display case in the Long Gallery and said “There! That is where this stick...should be some time.” After LaFarge’s death, she enshrined his “favorite stick & great companion” in the spot he had indicated.
ProvenanceNotesCollection of Talo, a Samoan tulafale or orator.
Gift from Talo to the painter John LaFarge (1835-1910) in Samoa in 1890-91.
Gift from Grace Edith Barnes (active New York, about 1896 - about 1920) to Isabella Stewart Gardner in 1911.
Gift from Talo to the painter John LaFarge (1835-1910) in Samoa in 1890-91.
Gift from Grace Edith Barnes (active New York, about 1896 - about 1920) to Isabella Stewart Gardner in 1911.
