Fraternal Pot of Incense1875–190012 x 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 "Paint and gold leaf on woodGift of Kendra and Allan Daniel2015.1.174015570453582015.1.173,174Artist unidentifiedFurniture/FurnishingsThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain. United StatesThree Dimensional WorksFraternal Art and ObjectsThe use of incense as a symbol is common among American fraternal groups, although it is sometimes purely ceremonial, without a direct connection to the ritual’s teachings. In Freemasonry, the pot of incense is part of the Third, or Master Mason, Degree, where it “typifies the pure heart from which prayers and aspirations arise, as incense does . . . as an acceptable sacrifice to the Deity.” The Odd Fellows use incense as part of their “altar of incense” symbol, signifying the “simplicity of that true worship . . . to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” These brightly painted pots show some of the variety of detail available from regalia companies.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Two Fraternal Pots of Incense," 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.org2015.1.173,17418751900 2015 1 174 The use of incense as a symbol is common among American fraternal groups, although it is sometimes purely ceremonial, without a direct connection to the ritual’s teachings. In Freemasonry, the pot of incense is part of the Third, or Master Mason, Degree, where it “typifies the pure heart from which prayers and aspirations arise, as incense does . . . as an acceptable sacrifice to the Deity.” The Odd Fellows use incense as part of their “altar of incense” symbol, signifying the “simplicity of that true worship . . . to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” These brightly painted pots show some of the variety of detail available from regalia companies.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Two Fraternal Pots of Incense," 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