Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Mesh Mask, Independent Order of Odd Fellows Encampment Golden Rule Degree - Goatee and Braid
ca. 1910
Maker not marked
USA (likely)
Metal, paper, paint, cotton, hair
18"h x 9"w x 6"d
Gift of James J. Bennette
2017.034.5

Mesh Mask, Independent Order of Odd Fellows Encampment Golden Rule Degree - Goatee and Braid. Mask composed of metal mesh formed in face shape. Eyes, cheeks, and lips feature painted details in shades of black, brown, red, pink, and white. PR eyebrow and goatee made of dark brown hair (likely animal), sewn onto metal mesh with thread (likely cotton); PL eyebrow missing all its hair; goatee wavy, approximately 6" from top to bottom, and sewn to chin in 1"-dia. circle. Face mask trimmed in strips of brown-painted metal which wrap over outer edge. Fastened to face mask with small circular, brown-colored metal hinges on either side is dome-shaped skullcap composed of fabric that is coated with painted paper (possibly papier-maché) on its exterior; paint is brownish overall, and lighter tan along forehead hairline. Braided ring of dark brown hair emanates from small circle at top of skullcap and is sewn onto it in its entirety with dark brown thread. Edge of skullcap has small vertical tear at front center and features a semi-circular indent at back center. Interior of skullcap lined with blue fabric (likely cotton) hemmed with off-white thread; in center, brown thread which fastens braid is visible and there is a strip of brown fabric tape, about 6" long, sewn at one end to top of face mask and at other to center of skullcap interior. Circular inner hinge pieces on either side of interior of skullcap are dark brown metal.