Old Safford Library, (sculpture).

Old Safford Library, (sculpture).

Unknown, sculptor.

Old Safford Library, (sculpture).

Safford Public Library, (sculpture).

Old Library, (sculpture).

Odd Fellows Home, (sculpture).

Oddfellows Home, (sculpture).

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: cast stone, probably a mixture of Portland cement, lime, and pink-colored sand.

Rebecca (north niche): approx. 34 1/2 x 11 1/2 x 21 in.; Kneeling figure of Isaac's servant holding a bowl (north niche): approx. 28 1/4 x 13 1/4 x 20 3/4 in.; Male figure and St. Sebastian (south niche): approx. 33 x 21 x 19 in.; Each Gothic niche ornament: approx. 19 3/4 x 24 1/2 x 12 1/4 in.; Each niche acanthus bracket: approx. 6 1/2 x 9 1/4 x 5 3/8 in.; Pediment medallion: approx. Diam. 3 ft.; Cornerstone: approx. 20 1/4 x 24 1/8 x 7 in.

(On pediment medallion with Odd Fellow seal:) ERECTED 1921/WE COMMAND YOU TO VISIT THE SICK, RELIEVE THE DISTRESSED, BURY THE DEAD AND EDUCATE THE ORPHAN

Sculptures depicting Old Testament charitable personages are installed in niches that flank the upper front portico of the "Tudor Revival" style Old Fellows Home constructed in 1921. The north niche features a veiled figure of Rebecca pouring water for Isaac's servant, a bearded figure kneeling with a bowl in his hands. The south niche features, a turbaned seated male figure holding a wounded nude figure of St. Sebastian in his lap. The seated male leans forward to wipe a wound on St. Sebastian's chest. The niches are five-sided structures, each featuring Gothic ornamental work with finials on the ends of four posts, and an acanthus bracket at the base. The central pediment is adorned with a medallion depicting the Odd Fellows seal --two female figures flanking a shield and an inscription.

Religion -- Old Testament -- Rebecca

Religion -- Saint -- St. Sebastian

Outdoor Sculpture -- Arizona -- Safford

Architectural component

Administered by City of Safford, Community Services, 717 Main, Safford, Arizona 85546

Located Old Safford Public Library, Corner of 8th Street & 8th Avenue, Safford, Arizona

More recently known as the Safford Public Library, the building was constructed in 1921 as the Odd Fellows/Rebekahs orphanage. The inscription on the cornerstone reads: ERECTED A.D. 1921/GRANDMASTER/V.R. NORRIS/TRUSTEES/W.K. JAMES JOS. CROTHERS//JOHN F. WEBER/PIONEER/MARY A. ZEIGLER./ARCHITECT WM. BRAY. A plaque on front of building reads: SAFFORD/Public/Library/established 1963/Mayor/Charles W. Kirtland/City Council/(List of names).

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Arizona survey, 1994.

SOS Assessment Award, 1998.

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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