As Above, So Below: Art Of The American Fraternal Society, 1850-1930

Featuring more than two hundred outstanding objects gathered from private + public collections, As Above, So Below provides the first comprehensive survey of the rich vein of art created during the “golden age” of the American fraternal society. By the turn of the twentieth century, an estimated 70,000 local lodges affiliated with hundreds of distinct American fraternal societies claimed a combined five + a half million members. It has been estimated that at least 20 percent of the American adult male population belonged to one or more fraternal orders, including the two largest groups, the Freemasons + the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The esoteric knowledge, visual symbols + moral teachings revealed to lodge brothers during secret rituals inspired an abundant + expressive body of objects that form an important facet of American folk art. Sumptuously illustrated with more than two hundred outstanding examples from private + public collections + introduced by fraternal art collector + Talking Heads singer-songwriter David Byrne, this revelatory book surveys the golden age of lodge hall art for the first time. By Lynne Adele + Bruce Lee Webb. Hardcover. 288 pages.