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The pictured item is 1 1/2 inches tall by 5/8 inches wide. (Showing front and back.)
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They are Billikens. I have one.
Billikens are well known in Alaska.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billiken
Maybe this company might know;
Los Angeles Court No 84 Royal Order Of Jesters
1255 Harbor Lake Avenue
Brea, CA 92821
Phone: (562) 945-5443
At 1.5″ high, it wouldn’t be a door stop or a gravestone, and if it were an artist’s chop or a stamp, a decorative symbol on the underside would likely have been depicted. The letters depicted here wouldn’t be a stamp, or they’d be backwards. It certainly looks like a Billiken, perhaps made to commemorate and event or an organization in LA in 1929?
This is a Shriners Royal Order of Jesters Billiken
It is the icon of the Royal Order of Jesters, a Shriners’ organization. Most likely used as a paperweight.
They were associated with that court room.
This figurine/souvenir represents the Freemasons Royal Order of Jesters, Los Angeles Court 84, with 1929 being the probable year it was made. You can google Royal Order of Jesters and find similar figures on items such as ashtrays.
The Billiken is the mascot of St. Louis University. It was adopted many years ago because a popular coach at SLU was said to resemble the mythical Billiken – the god of “things as they ought to be.”
The Royal order of Jesters is a Masonic organization. Court No.84 is in Los Angeles. This biliken is likely a giveaway possibly from a convention.
They look like pin cushions.
It is a billiken marked with the info of a lodge of the Royal Order of Jesters in LA “The Royal Order of Jesters are a tax-exempt branch of Freemasons — specifically Shriners — that self-describe themselves as: “a fun degree, with absolutely no serious intent. The motto, ‘Mirth is King,’ is sufficient to give voice to the purpose of the organization.” Their mascot is the billiken. In research, there have been similar Billikens issued as bolo ties or lapel pins. I suspect this was given given as a good luck pocket charm to members.
Royal Order of Jesters Antique Billiken Masonic Bronze Figurine of Shriners Secret Society
Engraved on the back “Los Angeles Court No. 84 1929”
An example that matches this was Sold on eBay for $66.01 with 5 Bids on May 16, 2018
The Billiken is a good-luck figure created by an American art teacher and illustrator, Florence Pretz of Kansas City, Missouri, who is said to have seen the mysterious figure in a dream. It is believed that Pretz found the name Billiken in Bliss Carman’s 1896 poem Mr. Moon: A Song Of The Little People. In 1908, she obtained a design patent on the ornamental design of the Billiken, which she sold to the Billiken Company of Chicago. The Billiken was monkey-like with pointed ears, a mischievous smile and a tuft of hair on his pointed head. His arms were short and he was generally sitting with his legs stretched out in front of him. Billiken is known as “The God of Things As They Ought to Be.”
Royal Order of Jesters Antique Billiken Masonic Bronze Figurine. Shriners Secret Society Almost 90 years old!!
1929 BRONZE ROYAL Order of Jesters Billiken Masonic Los Angeles Court 84
The original meeting resulting in the formation was held on February 20, 1911, by Shriners in the Captain’s office of the S.S. Wilhelmina on a pilgrimage to Aloha Temple, Hawaii. Noble A.M. Ellison of San Francisco, California, was responsible and the original cast included a Director and thirteen members. It was organized June 25, 1917, at an informal meeting.
“Whereas most Masonic bodies are dedicated to charity, The Royal Order of Jesters is a fun “degree,” with absolutely no serious intent. The motto, “Mirth is King,” is sufficient to give voice to the purpose of the organization. The Royal Order of Jesters feel that there are times, after our hard work and dedication to family and mankind, when everyone should remember to laugh and appreciate the good work one has done.”
#27 got the right answer- Billiken…a charm/good luck figure, also known as the “The God of Things as They Ought to Be”. First time I ever heard of him was last year when I visited the Tsutenkaku Tower in the Shinsekai district of Osaka, Japan. He’s a big deal there!
It is an effigy of the “Mirth King,” symbol of the Royal Order of Jesters, a degree of Masonry affiliated with the Shriners but dedicated to fun and not charity. Los Angeles Court No. 84 was a local chapter or “court” of the group.
It’s a Billiken – mascot of the Royal Order of Jesters
Royal Order of Jesters Antique Billiken Masonic Bronze Figurine
this is a billiken from a Jester court #84 Based in los angeles
https://picclick.com/1929-Bronze-Royal-Order-of-Jesters-Billiken-Masonic-123124618864.html
We’re stumped, too. If any readers know what this is, please let us know!
Our reader wrote: I have no idea what it is, but I’ve had it for several decades, always hoping to find out. I have tried to research it based on the markings and have had no luck. It is a little brass (I think) tiki figurine, about 1 1/2 in. tall, 5/8 in. wide and 3/8 in. deep. On the back side it says, “Los Angeles Court No 84 1929.”
A Bilikin carving
The symbol is a biliken which was a charm doll. Mythical good luck figure. To buy a Billiken gives you good luck but to have one given to you is better luck.
A symbol for good luck.
Looks like a chess piece
-Pawn
Perhaps a pawn
Shoe form
It’s a Billiken. Billiken is a good-luck figure who represents “things as they ought to be.” The designer of the Billiken also seems to be fact. Florence Pretz, a Missouri art teacher and illustrator, patented her “design for an image” of the jovial creature in 1908.
It looks to be a souvenir of some sort. But, my first thought was, it could be a Brass Weight used in weighing things.
clown
An artists chop
A seal that you press into wax, like to hold back of letter togethee
Royal Order of Jesters Billiken Figurine. The image design was patented in October 1908 by Florence Pretz, and is more Chinese (Buddha-like) than Afro-American. I’m not sure why the image was picked for the Masonic body court jester which was founded on fun in 1911; vs the Masonic bodies for charitable giving. There is a museum in Indianapolis, IN devoted to the Royal Order of Jesters. The billiken figure is also used by St. Louis University and St. Louis University High School.
Souvenir from a fair or exposition.
This is a private company, would 1929 be the founding date? https://www.manta.com/c/mr4hhb6/los-angeles-court-no-84-royal-order-of-jesters
Perhaps a grave marker..
Wax seal stamp to “Seal” court papers or judgments.
Royal Order of Jesters Antique Billiken Masonic Bronze Figurine.
Return address sealing wax stamp.
If I’m reading right, I think it says “Court No. 84, 1929” with the top line reading Los Angeles (CA.)
Possibly this would fit into a made box where these markers would be slid to indicate which court case was up next for the judge?
It also has a negative, black Americana connotation, so perhaps this was used for Black American’s with court Cases? Very strange little object!
Its a Bilikin. Apparently metal. As usual insufficient info to determine much more.
A stamp of some sort?
A stamp of some sort.
Door Stop
Door stop
personalized gavel
Small paperweight.