Independent Order of Odd Fellows Tables of Stone1850–190024 1/4 × 19 3/4"Paint on woodGift of Kendra and Allan Daniel2015.1.2301554525056Artist unidentifiedSculptureThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain. United StatesThree Dimensional WorksFraternal Art and ObjectsIn addition to theatrical role-playing with costumes, fraternal groups used colorful painted wood props to make their degree rituals come alive. The initiates learned the meaning of the various symbols more easily when they could be tied to physical representations of the elements of the stories being told. Odd Fellows used the “Tables of Stone,” or Decalogue, in the Encampment Degrees to symbolize moral law and toleration. Taken from the biblical story in Exodus, where God gives the commandments to Moses to govern His people, they are used in the Encampment Degrees to represent the Jewish religion, with a cross to represent Christianity, and a crescent to signify Islam. Together, the three symbols represent tolerance and harmony.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Independent Order of Odd Fellows Tables of Stone," exhibition label for Mystery and Benevolence: Masonic and Odd Fellows Folk Art from the Kendra and Allan Daniel Collection. Stacy C. Hollander, curator. New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2016.
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org18501900 2015 1 23 In addition to theatrical role-playing with costumes, fraternal groups used colorful painted wood props to make their degree rituals come alive. The initiates learned the meaning of the various symbols more easily when they could be tied to physical representations of the elements of the stories being told. Odd Fellows used the “Tables of Stone,” or Decalogue, in the Encampment Degrees to symbolize moral law and toleration. Taken from the biblical story in Exodus, where God gives the commandments to Moses to govern His people, they are used in the Encampment Degrees to represent the Jewish religion, with a cross to represent Christianity, and a crescent to signify Islam. Together, the three symbols represent tolerance and harmony.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Independent Order of Odd Fellows Tables of Stone," exhibition label for Mystery and Benevolence: Masonic and Odd Fellows Folk Art from the Kendra and Allan Daniel Collection. Stacy C. Hollander, curator. New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2016.
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org