Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Shrine Fez "CYPRUS"
1950-1970
Harry M. Osers Co.
USA: New York, New York
Wool, synthetic fiber, vinyl, metal, rhinestone, plastic
overall: 8"h x 7"w x8"d
Gift of Florence E. Connor
2019.027

Masonic Shrine Fez, "CYPRUS". Fez composed of maroon wool (likely) with a black synthetic fiber (likely) tassel. Applied to front is a Shrine emblem (scimitar, tiger claws, sphinx head, and star) surrounded by the text "BEKTASH" (above), "DRUM" (to PR), and "CORPS" (to PL). Entire composition done in iridescent, green, or red rhinestones with white plastic bezels; at center, metal Sphinx head has copper-colored face and gold-colored headgear which is decorated with yellow, red, green, and white enamel stripes; thin gold bullion surrounds individual letters and Shrine emblem. Tassel is secured to the PL side of the fez with a ring of four rows of iridescent rhinestones. At top of fez, four sets of vent holes in concentric rings. Inside fez, large yellow satin (likely synthetic) rectangular label sewn in has manufacturer's information printed in black on it: inside oval, "HARRY M. OSERS CO. [with "O" being a ring with a fez on top] / MANUFACTURERS OF / FINE HANDMADE FEZZES / and / Masonic Jewelry / 220 WEST 42ND ST. / NEW YORK 36". Opposite label, handwritten in black ink. "6 7/8". Brown vinyl sweatband sewn inside opening of hat. Silver-colored metal pin at top center which secures tassel.