Independent Order of Odd Fellows Staff with Ram Horns1870–190035 × 11 × 7 1/2"Paint and gold leaf on woodGift of Kendra and Allan Daniel2015.1.12601555295136Artist unidentifiedTools and EquipmentThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain. United StatesThree Dimensional WorksFraternal Art and ObjectsThis fascinating staff was used by the Odd Fellows, but not as part of their sanctioned rituals. By the late nineteenth century, many American fraternal groups performed entertaining or joking “rituals” to haze their initiates. The most well-known hazing gag entailed the use of a goat, usually a wheeled device with a goat’s head. Blindfolded initiates would “ride the goat” around the lodge room and try to stay on the bucking apparatus as members rocked it wildly back and forth. Several regalia companies sold wheeled mechanical goats, trick chairs, and staffs such as this example with ram horns. There are numerous satirical poems and stories about such gag rituals, including “When Father Rode the Goat,” published in a 1902 book of fraternal gags by James Pettibone, whose company, operated with his brother William, was one of the foremost sellers of fraternal regalia.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Independent Order of Odd Fellows Staff with Ram Horns," 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.org18701900 2015 1 126 This fascinating staff was used by the Odd Fellows, but not as part of their sanctioned rituals. By the late nineteenth century, many American fraternal groups performed entertaining or joking “rituals” to haze their initiates. The most well-known hazing gag entailed the use of a goat, usually a wheeled device with a goat’s head. Blindfolded initiates would “ride the goat” around the lodge room and try to stay on the bucking apparatus as members rocked it wildly back and forth. Several regalia companies sold wheeled mechanical goats, trick chairs, and staffs such as this example with ram horns. There are numerous satirical poems and stories about such gag rituals, including “When Father Rode the Goat,” published in a 1902 book of fraternal gags by James Pettibone, whose company, operated with his brother William, was one of the foremost sellers of fraternal regalia.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Independent Order of Odd Fellows Staff with Ram Horns," 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