Folk Art

Antique Miniature Folk Art Die-Cast Metal Heart In Hand Token
  • This circa 1860 heart in hand is die-cast, silver-colored metal. The metal frame around the hand measures 1 ¾” x 1 ¼”. This tiny love or friendship token is very nicely framed on 19th century salmon-colored linen fabric in a period red-painted frame that measures 5 ¾” x 5 ¼”. Although the heart-in-hand has been used and given as tokens of love and affection, the symbol is from the secret society of Odd Fellows. The American Folk Art Museum has an exhibition of Masonic & Odd Fellows folk art until May 6, 2016. I encourage you to visit the exhibition. Below I have given you a link to exhibition information as well as a nice article about the symbolism used by the secret societies. Great little symbolic piece from the mid-19th century.

    (#5758)     Sold