<I>Wire frame, Odd Fellows emblem, three links</I>

ca. 1860-1940

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 Independent Order of the Odd Fellows or I.O.O.F is an interantion fraternal organization which was founded in America in 1819 in Baltimore, Maryland. The basis of Odd Fellowship and the IOOF command is “Visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan.” The IOOF insignia is three links of chain with the letters F, L, and T, which stood for Friendship, Love, and Truth.