Swaine, Malacca Prince of Wales Umbrella

[Acquire from Swaine]

The umbrella as it was made a century ago.

Handmade in England · Malacca cane handle, sterling silver collar · Jaguar green canopy

Why it's here

An umbrella is carried far more than it is opened, so for most of its life it is a walking stick. Brigg has understood this since 1836. The Prince of Wales is its classic gentleman's model, with a teardrop handle of Malacca cane and silver at the collar and tip. Nothing about the pattern has needed changing, which is the highest praise an object can earn.

The object

Malacca is a rattan from Southeast Asia, light, strong and the colour of dark honey, and no two canes are marked alike. The handle joins a beechwood shaft under a hallmarked silver collar. The canopy is deep green, cut and sewn by hand over a sprung steel frame.

Living with it

Carry it furled, tip to the pavement, on any grey day. Stand it open to dry after rain. Swaine will repair and re-cover it for decades, so this is the last umbrella you need to buy, and one your son may well carry.

Origin: Handmade in England
Handle: Malacca cane, sterling silver nose cap and collar
Shaft: Stained beechwood
Canopy: Jaguar green

The Inheritant may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this page.