COMMEMORATIVE PIN AND RIBBON Bridgeport, Conn., early 20th century

At top, metal and enamel pin with image of clasped hands, from which hangs two faced ribbon. The front, which is red, is inscribed: “Hebrew Sick Benefit Association, Bridgeport, Conn.” The black ribbon at the back shows the clasped hands and the inscription “In Memoriam, Hebrew Sick Benefit Association.” The two ribbons are sewn together at bottom and bear gold fringe. On top of the red ribbon, a short, narrower cream silk ribbon with two attached American Flags supports a gilt badge of “The Hebrew Sick B.A. org(anized) Oct. 9, 02.” L: 200mm.

The use of an image of clasped hands as a symbol of “unity and fidelity” appears in a handful of American marrige contracts from the mid-19th century. See Kestenbaum and Company, Sale VII, lot 622; see also Jewish Museum Catalogue, The Jewish Heritage in American Folk Art (1984) no. 47 pl.5.