Carved Lamb, Ceremonial Odd Fellows Piece

American, early 20^th c.
Carved wood, polychrome paint.
Over-all in excellent condition, minor wear to original paint.
Provenance: Found in Des Moines, Iowa.
This carved whimsical and stylized depiction of a lamb seated on a book is often seen in Odd Fellows culture. The Odd Fellows Monitor and Guide, 1876, implied the lamb was a symbol of rescue and protection when its blood was used during Jewish Passover as protection. In Christianity, the lamb is a symbol of purity and innocence; its sacrifice restores the balance of sin.