{"product_id":"19th-century-american-fraternal-society-ceremonial-sword-ca-1870-1890","title":"19th Century American Fraternal Society Ceremonial Sword – Ca. 1870–1890","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmerican Fraternal Society Ceremonial Sword\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate: Ca. 1870–1890\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin: United States\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance: Greybull, Wyoming\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDating to approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1870–1890\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this unusual ceremonial sword is associated with the flourishing American \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efraternal and secret-society movement of the late 19th century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe sword features an ornate cruciform hilt with extensive scrollwork and symbolic decoration. At the center of the guard is a distinctive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewheel or sunburst-style emblem\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, while the pommel is formed in the shape of a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehelmeted head\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, giving the piece a particularly striking appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts long, fluted \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebone-colored grip\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is one of the sword’s most eye-catching features and is paired with darkened metal fittings that have developed an attractive age patina. The straight blade is double-edged in form and remains accompanied by its scabbard, which retains portions of its original covering and decorative metal hardware.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCeremonial swords of this general type were carried by members and officers of numerous American fraternal organizations during the second half of the 19th century. Individual orders often incorporated their own symbols into the hilts, blades, and scabbards. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe specific organization represented by this example has not been conclusively identified\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, making its unusual iconography an interesting subject for further research.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis sword was acquired from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGreybull, Wyoming\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and displays age, surface wear, patina, and deterioration to the scabbard consistent with an antique ceremonial piece.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn intriguing survivor of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e19th-century American fraternal culture\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, featuring an especially decorative hilt, fluted grip, and distinctive symbolic design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Smoky Mountain Relic Room","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54354258329913,"sku":null,"price":275.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0963\/7524\/3065\/files\/1_9204dc78-d16e-4464-9872-60c38ce7cf53.png?v=1787337524","url":"https:\/\/www.therelicroom.com\/de\/products\/19th-century-american-fraternal-society-ceremonial-sword-ca-1870-1890","provider":"The Smoky Mountain Relic Room","version":"1.0","type":"link"}