Object Record
Images
Additional Images [15]
Metadata
Accession number |
1994.203 |
Object Identification Number |
1994.203.273 |
Object Name |
Banner |
Donor |
Danish Brotherhood in America |
Description |
A large-scale, fraternal banner used by the Danish Brotherhood in America organization. The rectangular, vertically oriented banner is made from silk. The banner is attached to a thick wooden hanging rod using nine decorative, golden metal loops. Each end of the rod there is a rounded metal cap, adding additional decoration. The front of the banner is two-toned with red on the upper portion and white on the lower portion. There is golden metallic fringe around the exterior of the banner. The upper portion of the banner consists of a red silk panel that is shorter than the remainder of the banner. The upper panel has blue silk thread details around the edge along with large golden scrolling designs at each of the lower corners. There is text in golden silk thread that reads, "Det Danske Brodersamfund / i / Amerika". There is fringe along the bottom edge of this panel as well as a tassel at each lower corner.. The lower portion of the front has a white background. The symbols or emblems of the Danish Brotherhood are at center and include an anchor, plumb bob, and skeleton key. All of the emblems are sewn with silk thread. Below the emblems, there is text within a red banner design. The text reads, "Stiftet Jan. 1882". There is a golden design at bottom center. The bottom edge has three rounded cut-outs. Previously, there was a tassel at left, center, and right. The back of the banner is lined with light blue silk. There are not additional details on the back. |
Dimensions |
W-45 L-57.5 inches |
Creation Date |
ca. early-20th century |
Place Of Origin |
USA |
Owned By |
Danish Brotherhood in America |
Used By |
Danish Brotherhood in America |
Material |
silk/wood/metal/fringe |
Associated People |
Danish Brotherhood in America |
Search Terms |
Danish Brotherhood in America DBIA DBS DB banner det danske Brodersamfunds i amerika stiftet 1882 silk |
Provenance |
There is no specific provenance information regarding this banner, other than it was in a large donation of Danish Brotherhood objects gifted to the Museum by the National Brotherhood Headquarters in 1994. ---------------------------------------------------------------- The Danish Brotherhood in America (DBIA), originally Det Danske Brodersamfund, was a national fraternal insurance association for Danish immigrant males. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska in 1881 as an outgrowth of several Danish immigrant veterans organizations, the organization was initially open to "honorable men, born of Danish parents or who were of Danish extraction." The first six lodges were chartered in July of 1882, and other lodges soon arose in many communities where significant numbers of Danes had settled. The organization provided a forum for nurturing Danish culture and language as well as providing financial assistance to members in case of death or illness. Some 350 lodges were in the United States along with three in British Columbia and one in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 1916, a monthly publication titled "Det danske Brodersamfunds Blad" ("The Danish Brotherhood Magazine"), later renamed The American Dane, began to further communication among members and lodges. After 1920, as Danish immigration lessened and the number of eligible males dwindled, lodges opened their membership to include American-born daughters and later spouses and children of lodge members. The DBIA gradually evolved into a social organization for the entire family. Some lodges were disbanded after a few decades due to economic conditions or changes in the ethnic base of their communities. Remaining members were then transferred to nearby lodges or paid their insurance premiums directly to organization headquarters in Omaha (Lodge #600). In August 1995, the insurance function of the DBIA was merged into Woodmen of the World and/or Assured Life Association. A number of DBIA lodges remain active today as organizations that promote the pride of Danish culture and origin. |
Images |
224\1994203273.JPG |
Date Received by Museum |
08/22/1994 |