<I>Wire frame, Elk's head</I>

ca. 1879-1962

It was common for social or business organizations to send flowers to the funerals of deceased members in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. Flowers were sent by friendly and fraternal societies, temperance leagues, social clubs, veteran’s organization, and worker’s unions, among others. The floral tributes were often set pieces patterned after the emblem of the organization or club with flowers and ribbons in their colors. Designs had to be recognizable, thus accuracy was important for the florist, each flower frame must be made to an exact shape and carefully arranged with flowers in the appropriate colors. Depending on the size of the floral recreation, elements might be added or subtracted while maintaining an accurate overall impression of the emblem. In addition to the organization’s emblem recreated on flower frames, many of their other symbols, or assemblages of multiple symbols were recreated out of wire frames for floral arrangements. Emblem set pieces were also used for organizational functions other than just funerals, such as private ceremonies or special events sponsored by the group. Organizational emblem frames often comprised a significant portion of floral frame trade catalogs. The most fanciful fraternal flower frames are those belonging to the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks (BPOE). The emblem of this order is an elk head surmounting a clock set to eleven o’clock. This time is sacred to the Elks, and at this time at any Elks ritual a special toast is read. Floral tributes to fallen Elks could be made in the form of the complete emblem, or the elk head or clock could be sent individually. The time on the clock flower frame is meant to signify the time of death, which the Elks set the hands at 11:00 a.m. because all good Elks die at 11. In its hey-day the Elks members numbered more than 1.5 million members. It is one of the largest “animal clubs”. Patriotism, public service, and caring for Elks fallen on hard times, are central to the mission of the Elks.