Masonic Stone Book1880–19003 5/8 × 2 1/4 × 1 1/4"StoneGift of Kendra and Allan Daniel2015.1.1500Two stone books15555051572015.1.150a,bArtist unidentifiedSculptureThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain. United StatesThree Dimensional WorksFraternal Art and ObjectsSmall books fashioned from soft stone, like marble, alabaster, and sandstone, were often made as gifts for women during the late nineteenth century, or as “objects of remembrance.” Fraternal symbols on stone books are somewhat rare. This example shows a hacksaw on one side and a “star and tiger claw” above a Masonic square and compasses on the other. The star and the tiger claw, resembling a horizontal crescent, are symbols used by the Masonic group known as the Shrine, properly called the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and sometimes referred to as the “playground of Freemasonry” because they were formed to focus more on fun and fellowship than on ritual. The group was founded in 1872 in New York City at the height of nineteenth-century Orientalism in America, when a fascination with the Middle East influenced art, literature, and popular culture. Shriners took cues for their name, symbols, and regalia from that rich culture. The book shape itself suggests that it is a representation of the Bible, used in Freemasonry to signify the divine will of God.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Masonic Stone Book," 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.org2015.1.150a,b18801900 2015 1 150 Small books fashioned from soft stone, like marble, alabaster, and sandstone, were often made as gifts for women during the late nineteenth century, or as “objects of remembrance.” Fraternal symbols on stone books are somewhat rare. This example shows a hacksaw on one side and a “star and tiger claw” above a Masonic square and compasses on the other. The star and the tiger claw, resembling a horizontal crescent, are symbols used by the Masonic group known as the Shrine, properly called the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and sometimes referred to as the “playground of Freemasonry” because they were formed to focus more on fun and fellowship than on ritual. The group was founded in 1872 in New York City at the height of nineteenth-century Orientalism in America, when a fascination with the Middle East influenced art, literature, and popular culture. Shriners took cues for their name, symbols, and regalia from that rich culture. The book shape itself suggests that it is a representation of the Bible, used in Freemasonry to signify the divine will of God.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Masonic Stone Book," 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