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  EAGLE CARVING WITH CLASPED HANDS, ODD FELLOWS FRATERNAL LODGE, CIRCA 1890-1910
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EAGLE CARVING WITH CLASPED HANDS, ODD FELLOWS FRATERNAL LODGE, CIRCA 1890-1910:

Carved eagle with crossed flags, clasped hands, and the three-link chain of the Odd Fellows fraternal lodge (which stand for friendship, hope, and truth). A lot of interesting folk art was produced for Odd Fellows lodges in the late 19th century. This is a particularly interesting eagle and I have never seen another in this exact form. The quality of the carving is excellent, particularly the hands, the billowing ribbon streamer, and feathers. The balance of the graphics is even better and inclusion of the hands--also a symbol of the Odd Fellows--is particularly nice, as-is the fanned tail, which appears to be set against the rising sun above the eagle's back.

The carving is not unlike the stern board eagles of John Haley Bellamy and his contemporaries, but it is essentially a trade sign, meant to hang indoors, probably over the entrance to an Odd Fellows Hall. I have never seen another in this form. It appears that cloth parade flags were probably affixed to the reverse on special occasions, as evidenced by the carved slots made to accommodate them.

Found in New England, I expect this was produced by a local carver, though I don't know the specific location of the lodge it came from. Circa 1890-1910. The painted embellishments are original to the work.

Condition: Minor chips and wear.
   
Primary Color: brown, natural
Earliest Date: 1890
Latest Date: 1910
For Sale Status: Sold
Price SOLD
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