TEXAS FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S CLUBS

Mansbendel was commissioned by the Texas Federation of Womens Clubs (~1930), in recognition of his work, to create according to his liking a gavel to be presented to the president of the national club. Mansbendel said “The gavel was four sided-symbolic of women’s service to humanity, the sides representing love, liberty, unity and charity, which are in turn pictured as figures of women. Loves consoles a weeping child, Charity empties a horn of plenty into the tiny hands of a child, Unity holds a bundle of sticks tied together after old story book tale, and Liberty holds the torch of enlightenment.” On one side of the handle is carved the flag of the Lone Star State, while on the opposite is the motto of the National Federation of Women’s club —Unity in diversity.The gavel is carved in walnut is not a foot more in length, attests Mansbendel’s skill in intricate, miniature work.