U.S. 38 Stars - Vertical Hourglass Pattern
This large 38 star machine sewn wool U.S. flag bears a unique canton pattern. Previous owners have interpreted this flag in a number of different ways. It was once part of the flag collection of a noted antique dealer, Mr. Boleslaw Mastai and his wife Marie-Louise d'Otrange Mastai, formerly of New York City, and later of Amagansett, Long Island.

As a collector Mastai often attributed fanciful names to star patterns appearing on his flags. Most of these names are not known to have been used historically and were generally descriptive. He interpreted this flag in several ways. In 1973 Mastai speculated that the diagonal of the star pattern was similar to St. Andrews cross, and therefore might represent some residual loyalty to the defunct Confederate States of America.

In 1979 Mastai publicly displayed the flag and named it the "Hourglass Flag", for when the flag is turned sideways the shape resembles an hourglass. Of the flags produced for the Centennial celebrations of 1876, the "Hourglass Flag" is perhaps the most unique.

The objective of the maker is unfortunately unknown. Some historians have interpreted it as crossing diagonal stars, a starburst, and a gentleman's bowtie, however none resonate quite as well as Mastai's "Hourglass".

This flag is a superlative example of not only the 38 star era, and the Centennial celebrations of the United States, but also bears one of the most outstanding cantons.

Exhibition History:

"Our Unknown Flag", Almost 250 Flags and Artifacts from the famous Mastai Collection, New York , United States Custom House, 6 World Trade Center, New York, NY, June14-july 28, 1987, #215.

Publication History:
Mastai, Boleslaw and Marie-Louise D'Otrange, The Stars and The Stripes: The American Flag as Art and as History from the Birth of the republic to the Present, Knopf, New York, 1973, p.116.

Provenance:
• Acquired by Mr. & Mrs. Boleslaw & Marie-Louise D'Otrange Mastai, New York City, and Amagansett, NY, The Mastai Collection, until 2002.
• Sold via Sotheby's Auction in New York City to the Zaricor Flag Collection, 2002.

Sources: