Elk character jug produced in Canada by the BPOE for the Saskatchewan Council for Crippled Children and Adults of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, circa 1970. This Elk is a member of The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), which is a fraternal order founded in 1868 originally as a social club in New York City established by actor Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian. First organized as a club for minstrel show performers, the impetus for the group's founding was the death of a fellow actor to disease and a desire to organize communal support for fellow actors in need. By 1890, 173 lodges had been established throughout the United States. As of June 2020, it claimed to have more than 750,000 members. This proud Elk is wearing a tassel on his fez with a pocket watch set at 11 o'clock. At any gathering of Elks, it is the custom that at 11 p.m. everything ceases for a moment of remembrance. This is done in a solemn but brief ceremony called "The 11 O'clock Toast" in memory of members who are not present.
Maker:
unknown
Canada
circa 1970
Model #:
character jug.
Size:
large
Height:
6"
