This unique exhibition at Toy Worlds Museum Basel displays an extensive collection of gadget canes from the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors can explore the clever engineering behind these historical fashion accessories, which conceal everything from telescopes to musical instruments. See how these everyday items evolved from simple symbols of power into highly innovative and functional tools.
Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for The walking stick with a secret at Toy Worlds Museum Basel in Basel
This exhibition explores the fascinating world of gadget canes, featuring over 250 unique walking sticks from the 18th and 19th centuries that conceal surprising hidden functions. Visitors can discover how these items evolved from symbols of power into clever everyday tools containing everything from perfume bottles to musical instruments.
The exhibition presents an extensive collection of over 250 system or gadget canes, showcasing the inventive spirit of the 18th and 19th centuries. These quirky creations often feature hidden devices such as fans, umbrellas, sewing kits, telescopes, and even instruments like clarinet canes crafted by Swiss maker Ulrich Ammann around 1800. The display emphasizes two essential properties of the gadget cane: the presence of a hidden compartment and the combination of multiple functional tools. Historically, the walking stick evolved from an ancient symbol of power into a vital fashion accessory in the royal courts of Europe, eventually becoming a staple of 19th-century life. The exhibition highlights this cultural shift, noting famous examples like the absinthe-bottle cane owned by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Curated with state-of-the-art technology, the exhibition displays these fascinating objects in both open and closed states, providing visitors with a clear view of the clever engineering hidden within the handles.
General admission to the Toy Worlds Museum Basel allows access to this exhibition. Standard entry is CHF 7, with discounted rates available for seniors and persons with disabilities, and free admission for children and youth under 16 years of age accompanied by an adult, where applicable per museum policy.
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