Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Shrine Fez, Bektash Grand Master, with Plastic Insert
a: ca. 1990-2020; b: 1977-2020
a: D. Turin and Company; b: Skipco Inc.
a: USA: Florida, Hialeah; b: USA: Ohio, Cambridge
a: wool, synthetic fiber, plastic, rhinestones, bullion, synthetic leather, metal, enamel, ink; b: plastic
a: 7-1/2"h x 7-1/2"w x 6-1/2"d, tassel: 23"l; b: 5-1/2"h x 7-1/2"dia.
Gift of Edward N. Lewis
2020.037.23a-b

Masonic Shrine Fez, Bektash Grand Master, with Plastic Insert. a: 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) and "GRAND MASTER" (below). Entire composition done in iridescent, green, or red rhinestones with white plastic bezels; at center, gold-colored metal Sphinx head decorated with yellow, red, green, and white enamel stripes; gold bullion trim around all; small white pearls along outside of bullion trim around Shrine emblem. Tassel is secured to the PL side of the fez with a black fabric-backed pin in the shape of a crescent or double tiger claws decorated with red, green, and iridescent rhinestones inside white plastic bezels; pin has gold-colored metal trim around stones. Inside fez, large panel of red synthetic grosgrain fabric attached which has "R. Schanda" embroidered on it in yellow. On opposite side, small white sticker has black printed text on it, "DT&CO. [stylized] 7 1/2 / D. Turin & Co., Florida". Brown vinyl sweatband sewn inside opening of hat has repeating, diagonal lines of four small holes each around it. Silver-colored metal pin at top center which secures tassel. b: Red plastic insert in shape of fez has eight flat, flared "legs" down sides and, at top, four trapezoidal windows surrounding central round hole. Raised text running around inside of top of insert reads, "STEVE SKAPURA SHELDON INVENTOR U.S. PATENT NO 243129 1/25/77 LORE CITY OHIO JUDY ANN SHELDON SKIPCO. INC. CAMBRIDGE OHIO".