Object ID
2006.33.20
Object Name
Scepter
Date Created
March 4, 1945
Event
Founding of the Chapter
Material
Metal; Wood
Object Entities
Penelope- Ch Haris #133, Daughters (owned by)
Mavrogianis, Julia (is related to)
Penelope, Daughters (is related to)
Mavrogianis, Julia (is related to)
Penelope, Daughters (is related to)
Access Points
Object Description
Metal (silver in color but no evidence that it is in fact made of silver) scepter with a wooden handle in the center. The ends of the scepter are designed almost as a Greek vase with a pattern of smaller and wider circumferences so that the very tip is a rounded bulb followed by a series of three increases in circumference the middle of these has the largest circumference on the scepter.The two ends of the scepter are exactly the same. There are 4.3125 in of flat, smooth metal on both sides between the decorated ends and the wooden handle.
The handle is also designed with a series of symetrical shapes. The two rounded forms on the lateral ends of the handle are tear dropped shaped with rounded bases facing the center. The very center of the handle (and so the scepter) is a cylinder.
The handle is also designed with a series of symetrical shapes. The two rounded forms on the lateral ends of the handle are tear dropped shaped with rounded bases facing the center. The very center of the handle (and so the scepter) is a cylinder.
Origin
The scepter was used by the president of chapter 133 of the Daughters of Penelope from its creation in 1945 to when the chapter closed (presumably around 2006). The scepter ws then donated by Julia Mavrogianis.
The scepter was carried by the president at meetings as an indication of rank according to the Object Condition Report. The Daughters of Penelope Manual of instruction, however, has no mention of a scepter. It does indicate that the Marshal held a baton but without photographic evidence or a description there isn't enough evidence to prove that this isn't a scepter that just isn't mentioned in the manual.
While goddess such as Hera, Aphrodite, and Demeter all traditionally held scepters they were much longer and decorated differently than this one. In the Homeric epics important characters also carried long scepters. More recently, Greek Orthodox Archbishops also carry long scepters as symbols of rank. Thus this status symbol has long Greek roots.
The scepter was carried by the president at meetings as an indication of rank according to the Object Condition Report. The Daughters of Penelope Manual of instruction, however, has no mention of a scepter. It does indicate that the Marshal held a baton but without photographic evidence or a description there isn't enough evidence to prove that this isn't a scepter that just isn't mentioned in the manual.
While goddess such as Hera, Aphrodite, and Demeter all traditionally held scepters they were much longer and decorated differently than this one. In the Homeric epics important characters also carried long scepters. More recently, Greek Orthodox Archbishops also carry long scepters as symbols of rank. Thus this status symbol has long Greek roots.
Rights and Reproduction
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For questions on image rights and reproduction, please contact nhmcollections@hellenicmuseum.org
Any other use, such as exhibition, publication, or commercial use, is not allowed except by written permission in accordance with the NHM Image Rights and Reproduction Policy.
For questions on image rights and reproduction, please contact nhmcollections@hellenicmuseum.org
Citation
Scepter, March 4, 1945, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/7614. Accessed 04/19/24.