Washington Monument Commemorative Stone: Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Grand Lodge of the U.S., (sculpture).

Washington Monument Commemorative Stone: Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Grand Lodge of the U.S., (sculpture).

Battin, John D., Jr., sculptor.

Laws, P. F., sculptor.

Fritz and Laws, carver.

Washington Monument Commemorative Stone: Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Grand Lodge of the U.S., (sculpture).

1852. Installed 1885.

Digital Reference:

PRESENTED BY THE G.L. OF THE U.S./1852

The stone is carved in relief with a circular emblem depicting rays of sun shining down on a tiny figure of Madonna and Child, which is flanked by two female figures, the figure on left gesturing toward the Madonna and Child. The figure on the right leans against a podium, with her left arm resting atop the podium. The figure on the left holds a cornucopia in the crook of her right arm. Below the Madonna and Child there are carved symbols of a beehive, an open book with a gavel on top, and three crossed arrows. Below these symbols there is a shield adorned with a banner incised with AMICITIA AMOR ET VERITAS. The lower third of the circular emblem bears an incised inscription reading: GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES OF THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS. The entire emblem is surrounded by a circular frame incised with: WE COMMAND YOU TO VISIT THE SICK, RELIEVE THE DISTRESSEED, BURY THE DEAD, AND EDUCATE THE ORPHAN. Each corner of the stone is carved with three links of a chain, and an incised inscription appears along the lower edge of the stone.

Figure group -- Female

Object -- Written Matter -- Book

Object -- Tool -- Hammer

Object -- Weapon -- Bow and Arrow

Animal -- Insect -- Bee

Religion -- New Testament -- Mary

Religion -- New Testament -- Christ

Administered by United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Washington, District of Columbia

Located National Mall, Adjacent to 14th Street, between Constitution Avenue, N.W. & Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, District of Columbia

One of 193 commemorative stones set into the interior walls of the Washington Monument. The stones were donated by states, cities, towns, organizations, individuals, and foreign countries in honor of George Washington. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Grand Lodge of the U.S. donated the stone, which is located at the 200 ft. level.

Jacob, Judith M., "The Washington Monument: A Technical History and Catalog of the Commemorative Stones," Washington, D.C.: National Park Service, 2005, pg. 137.

Jacob, Judith M., "The Washington Monument: A Technical History and Catalog of the Commemorative Stones," Washington, D.C.: National Park Service, 2005, pg. 137.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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