One part of the antiques and collectibles market that can

seem a bit foreign to most people is objects and items

associated with Freemasonry, but it would be foolish not to

recognise the buoyancy of this particular area of collecting.

Freemasonry, with its unique practices grew from obscure origins

in the late sixteenth to early seventeenth century. It found a strong

following both in Scotland and Ireland as well as reaching all

corners of the globe. Its reach was so great that by the eighteenth

century George Washington, the first President of the newly

formed United States of America and other notable founding

Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were

all practising Freemasons. In Great Britain various members of the

Royal Family have been involved in Freemasonry since King

Edward VII was installed as Grandmaster in 1874. Now the Duke

of Kent holds the title.

Masonic rituals are based on the symbolism of the building of

King Solomon’s Temple. Masons use symbols of stonemasonry

tools including compasses, set squares and trowels on items

associated with the craft. Lodges are the local meeting places for

members which are controlled by larger Grand Lodges.

Freemasons Hall which is located in Great Queen Street in

London is a stunning art deco building which was designed by the

architects Henry Victor Ashley and F. Winton Newman. It was

built just after the First World War as a memorial to the 3,225

Freemasons who lost their lives in this terrible war. It is now a

Grade 2 listed building. There has been a Masonic meeting place

on the site of Freemasons Hall since 1775. Within Freemasons

Hall is the Museum of Freemasonry which contains, in my

opinion, one of the finest collections of Masonic objects. Items on

display include the personal possessions of famous Freemasons

such as King Edward VII and Winston Churchill as well as

antique porcelain, silver, furniture, clocks, jewels and regalia. It is

more than worth a visit and is open to Freemasons and the general

public. To find out more visit www.freemasonry.london.museum.

The demand for Masonic items seems to be at an all time high

with good prices being reached for good quality pieces. The

publicity given to Masonic items by the Dan Brown novel, TheDa Vinci Code has also helped by bringing in a new group of

collectors who themselves are not Masons but have started to

collect Masonic items out of curiosity.

One example of the high prices that can be obtained for antique

Masonic items was a half pint Crossed Keys Masonic hip flask

that was sold in may 2005 at the Heckler auction room in

Woodstock Valley, Connecticut. Made by the Coventry GlassWorks of Connecticut in c1815, it was a fine example made in a

light yellow colour with a sheared mouth and a pontil mark which

is what tells us that it was made from hand blown glass, as this is

the mark left when the blowing punt is broken away from the

glass. The Auctions own catalogue stated “This is the finest

example we have ever seen or handled. This flask has virtually

everything: beautiful colour, strongly embossed detail, perfect

condition. An extreme rarity it is one of only six or seven known

examples.” When the auctioneers hammer finally fell it had

reached an amazing figure of $38.080 (£24,281).

Masonic glassware is a very popular area for collectors. It can

be separated into two fields, Ceremonial Masonic glassware, used

in rituals and Masonic souvenir glass. The majority of Masonic

souvenir glass was made to commemorate new Lodges and

anniversaries of foundations of Lodges.

In July 2005 two glass items were sold as one lot at SwordersSale room in Stansted Mountfitchet. First of the two items was a

tumbler made around 1820. It was beautifully engraved with

various Masonic emblems including pillars, squares, compasses

and other Masonic symbols. The second piece was a continental

cut glass goblet made a little later in about 1840. It was engraved

with a coat of arms and a view of Marianbad, the famous Spa

town in the Czech Republic. These two pieces of glassware

fetched £223 including buyers premium.

Various gold Masonic items feature in auction rooms with

Jewels and Masonic medals selling frequently. One item that

people are surprised about if they have never seen it before is the

Masonic ball cross. This piece of Masonic jewellery consists of a

gold ball that is worn as a pendant but the clever bit is, it is hinged

to unfold. When fully unfolded it turns into a cross made up of

little pyramids engraved with Masonic symbols. One such cross

sold in November 2009 at the saleroom of A F Brock & Co Ltd of

Stockport. The Masonic cross ball that sold on the day was about

20mm in diameter, and opened up to a cross of about 40 x 24mm,

revealing a silver inner with Masonic symbols. The outer shell of

the ball was stamped 9ct gold. It fetched £141 including buyer’s

premium, a good price for a small item that might be overlooked

by those unaware of its potential. Masonic objects can crop up in

the strangest of places. One hotel in the Scottish Highlands in

which I stayed recently had a strange antique side unit with

Masonic type pillars. On opening the doors it turned out to be a

Masonic Alter. The owners of the hotel had no idea that this piece

of furniture was a wonderful example of Masonic furniture. It is

prudent to acquire knowledge about areas of antiques that you

may not collect as you never know what may turn up.

ANTIQUES INFO - January/February 11

Masonic

The Masonic Market

By George Johnson

I would like to introduce myself. My name is George Johnson and I will be writing a

regular column in these pages. Antiques have always been part of my life. It all

started when I was just a child, as my mother used to take me along to PortobelloRoad Antiques Market and other places as she bought and sold Royal Worcester and

other fine porcelain. It wasn’t long before I got hooked and was spending my own

pocket money on collectable items instead of toys. From that point on I would say I

was addicted to the antiques trade. I have been dealing ever since. These days I am

very lucky to be able to call Perthshire in Scotland my home. About four years ago I

took the decision to open my own shop Lady Kentmores Antiques in Callander. I

enjoy giving advice and writing about antiques as it’s wonderful to be able to share

my passion with other people. George Johnson.

George III mahogany lodgechair of large proportions,arched toprail with adjustableheadrest decorated withMasonic emblems. Cheffins,Cambridge. Oct 00. HP:£2,900. ABP: £3,411.

Swiss silver cased Masonicpocket watch, triangular formdecorated with Masonicmotifs, mother-of-pearl dialwith motif numerals andinscription ‘Love Your FellowMan, Lend Him a HelpingHand’, import marked for1932, in original card box.Gorringes, Lewes. Dec 02.HP: £2,300. ABP: £2,705.

1930s silver cased Masonicpocket watch, mother ofpearl dial, Swiss jewelledmovement, 50mm. Fellows &Sons, Hockley, Birmingham.May 03. HP: £1,000. ABP:£1,176.

Caughley Masonic cormorantand fisherman patterncabbage leaf blue and whitejug, set square and compassmotif and mask spout, 7.25in.Gorringes, Lewes. Apr 00.HP: £900. ABP: £1,058.

Tumbler, finely engraved withMasonic devices, monogramCD within a leaf scrollcartouche, 9cm high, c1820,contemporary leather case.Dreweatt Neate, Newbury. Apr00. HP: £850. ABP: £999.

19thC pink Sunderland lustreMasonic vase, two scrolledhandles, decorated a band offlowers and inscribed ‘Lodgeno. 14 of free and easy Johns,1830’ circular pedestal base,20cm high. Boldon AuctionGalleries, Tyne & Wear. Mar06. HP: £805. ABP: £946.

Late 19thC powder hornscrimshaw, profusely andaccurately decorated withincised and inked masonicand other symbols, 12.5inlong. Tring Market Auctions,Herts. May 10. HP: £780.ABP: £917.

Pair heavy cut glass goblets,engraved within a crownedshield Richard Scott 1844,other Elizabeth Scott 1849,both engraved with Masonicsymbols, 5.75in high. Wallis& Wallis, Lewes. May 02.HP: £750. ABP: £882.

Early 19thC creamware largeMasonic jug, central equineportrait of William of Orangeabove Masonic insignia,initialled HL, no.18, backdecorated with Masonicsymbols under fruiting vinerim, 9.5in. Gorringes, Lewes.Apr 08. HP: £750. ABP: £882.

18ct gold/polychrome enamelMasonic medal ‘Universityof Hong Kong Chapter WMFaid’, 9ct gold/polychromeenamel Masonic medal‘University Lodge No. 3666Hong Kong WM Faid’, silvergilt and polychrome enamelMasonic medal WM Faid,and 9ct gold Masonic medal.(4) Halls Fine Art,Shrewsbury. Dec 09. HP:£740. ABP: £870.

Early 19thC Continentalrosewood and brass mountedMasonic strong box, hingedlid, fall front enclosing tray& 2 drawers, with 2 masonicaprons, 15in. Gorringes, Lewes.Oct 05. HP: £650. ABP: £764.

Pocket watch, quarter repeat,dial with Arabic numeralsand subsidiary seconds dial,18ct gold case, applied mono-gram and Masonic emblems.Charterhouse, Sherborne. Aug09. HP: £650. ABP: £764.

Georgian Masonic lustre mugpainted with columns andchequer floor of lodge withprinted ‘Masons Arms’below, 4in high. Wallis &Wallis, Lewes. May 02. HP:£575. ABP: £676.

George III silver masonicpendant, London 1811. LouisTaylor, Stoke on Trent. Mar04. HP: £500. ABP: £588.

Heavy pair 19thC cut glassMasonic firing glasses bothengraved with Masonicsymbols, solid baluster basesfor table striking, 5.75in high.Wallis & Wallis, Lewes. May02. HP: £450. ABP: £529.

English creamware masonicjug, black printed with stanzawithin an olive branchcartouche, printed verso witha sun, man, compass, toolsand an eye, gilded initialsand embellishment, 9.25inhigh. Andrew Hartley, Ilkley.Oct 05. HP: £400. ABP: £470.

Early 19thC Masonic rummer,partly sliced body engravedMasonic symbols & initialled‘J.A.G.’, short bulbousknopped stem, star cut base,5.75in high. CanterburyAuction Galleries, Kent. Aug03. HP: £360. ABP: £423.

Early 20thC 9ct gold Masonicjewel, classical figures withina blue enamel ground, cased,with 3 Past Masters jewels,Lodge of Mercy (2) & Benefic-entia. Gorringes, Lewes. Oct09. HP: £340. ABP: £399.

9ct gold curb link doubleAlbert chain, 9ct goldpierced masonic disc fob,hand engraved scroll border,Chester 1912, sterling silvergold cased masonic ball fobto other end, T-bar/swivelclip deficient. Sworders,Stansted Mountfitchet. Apr10. HP: £340. ABP: £399.

Unusual Masonic ball, approx18mm, opens to reveal threediscs, pillars with knot, othersymbols & the letters ‘J’ ‘B’,compass set, skull & crossedbones, star inside other half,stamped 9ct. (gross 7.9g) A FBrock & Co Ltd, Stockport.Feb 10. HP: £330. ABP: £388.

Masonic creamware mug, late18thC, puce transfer printed,9cm high, old repairs tohandle. Richard Winterton,Burton on Trent, Staffs. Apr03. HP: £320. ABP: £376.

Late 18th/early 19thCmasonic pendant, silver andgold coloured metal frame,5.5 cm dia. CharterhouseAuctioneers, Sherborne. Apr09. HP: £300. ABP: £352.

Sunderland purple lustreware jug, Masons Arms toone side showing Masonicregalia and the reverse sidewith a verse ‘Success to theTars of Old England’. Boldon Auction Galleries,Tyne & Wear. Mar 10. HP:£300. ABP: £352.

19thC Sunderland pink lustremug, decorated with mono-chrome masonic symbols and‘MASONS ARMS’ title, 4inhigh. Diamond Mills & Co,Felixstowe. Feb 10. HP:£280. ABP: £329.

ANTIQUES INFO - January/February 11

Masonic

The prices quoted are actual

Hammer Prices (HP)

followed by the Approximate

Buyer’s Price (ABP) which

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Masonic ivory gavel withturned handle and silverpresentation plaques, 6in.Gorringes, Lewes. Apr 02.HP: £270. ABP: £317.

Delft blue/white ‘masonic’mug mid 18thC, painted withblue floral sprays & masonicsymbols, some damage,14.5cm high. Hampton &Littlewood, Exeter. Jul 04.HP: £260. ABP: £305.

Masonic jewels, mounted andframed, six in each frame, 11x 9.25in. (2) Dee, Atkinson &Harrison, Driffield. Nov 09.HP: £260. ABP: £305.

9ct Albert with masonic fob.Charterhouse, Sherborne. Aug10. HP: £240. ABP: £282.

Masonic jelly or firing glass,flared bowl engraved withMasonic symbols, glassprobably Continental,10.5cm high, mid 18thC.Dreweatt Neate, Newbury. Jun01. HP: £220. ABP: £258.

Pair Masonic firing glasses,conical bowls engraved withMasonic symbols, 9.5cmhigh, 19thC. Dreweatt Neate,Newbury. Jun 01. HP: £220.ABP: £258.

British United Clock Co. Ltd,late 19thC gilt metal manteltime piece, decorated withMasonic set square/compassesover tradesman’s tools, enamelArabic dial, 12 x 13cm. Locke& England, Leamington Spa.Nov 07. HP: £210. ABP: £247.

Masonic glass tumbler, c1820,engraved with emblems incl.pillars, squares, compassesetc., & continental cut glassgoblet, c1840, engraved witha coat of arms and a view ofMarianbad, tallest 15cm (2)Sworders, StanstedMountfitchet. Jul 05. HP:£190. ABP: £223.

19thC Masonic badge, blueenamelled centre and pasteset border. Gorringes, Lewes.Apr 03. HP: £160. ABP: £188.

Early 19thC Masonic cutglass rummer, decorated withMasonic symbols, initialledWNW, 5.5in. Gorringes,Lewes. Dec 09. HP: £160.ABP: £188.

George V silver vessel, Irishmasonic inscription for theAthlone Lodge, single piercedhandle, Sheffield 1932, 5.5in,10oz. Gorringes, Lewes. Apr08. HP: £150. ABP: £176.

Sunderland lustre masonicjug, printed with masonicmotifs and a verse, 8in.Gorringes, Lewes. Dec 09.HP: £140. ABP: £164.

Masonic ball charm/pendant,approx 15mm dia, 9ct h/m.(13.6g) A F Brock & Co Ltd,Stockport. Feb 07. HP: £135.ABP: £158.

Toye Kenning & Spencer,Masonic silver snuff box,hinged lid, enamel decoratedwith compasses, square andpillars revealing engineturned interior, Birmingham1977. Locke & England,Leamington Spa. Jul 05. HP:£130. ABP: £152.

9ct gold and enamel MasonicPast Master’s jewel Beacons-field Lodge no. 1662.Denhams, Warnham, Sussex.Aug 07. HP: £130. ABP: £152.

Masonic ball, approx 20mm,opens to approx 40 x 24mm,revealing silver inner withMasonic symbols, outerstamped 9ct gold. A F Brock& Co Ltd, Stockport. Nov 09.HP: £120. ABP: £141.

Masonic ball, approx 16mm,dia, approx 32 x 42mm open,silver gilt with 9ct, completewith 18in belcher chain, 9ctgold h/m. (gross 21.9g) A FBrock & Co Ltd, Stockport.Feb 09. HP: £115. ABP: £135.

Staffordshire pottery masonicmug, leaf and scroll handle,printed in emblems, inscrip-tions incl. ‘The Loyal UnitedFree Mechanics’, 5.25inwide, 19thC. Hartleys, Ilkley.Oct 08. HP: £110. ABP: £129.

1930s gentleman’s goldplated Hamilton masonicrelated wrist watch, steppedcase & shaped dial, masonicsymbol numerals/subsidiaryseconds. Gorringes, Lewes.Dec 09. HP: £110. ABP: £129.

Gents Masonic ring, ovalplate with diamond setsymbol, 18ct h/m Chester1918, size N or 6½. (6.2g) AF Brock & Co Ltd, Stockport.Nov 05. HP: £105. ABP: £123.

9ct gold and enamel Masonicmedal, Technical Lodge,Kingston-upon-Hull 1938-39,with case. Dee, Atkinson &Harrison, Driffield. Jul 04.HP: £100. ABP: £117.

Masonic paste set and enamelmedal with LECTURES ONFREE MASONRY (1 vol.)Gorringes, Lewes. Apr 02.HP: £80. ABP: £94.

Gent’s antique Masonic ring,oval front with twisted ropesurround, slight wear tofront, 18ct h/m London 1895,size S or 9 US. (9.0g) A FBrock & Co Ltd, Stockport.Oct 06. HP: £80. ABP: £94.

Antique Masonic pendant,approx 25mm, 9ct rose goldh/m Birmingham 1915.(5.4g) A F Brock & Co Ltd,Stockport. Sep 09. HP: £80.ABP: £94.

Masonic compasses pendant,approx 22mm, folds closed,9ct gold h/m. (2.0g) A FBrock & Co Ltd, Stockport.Feb 09. HP: £70. ABP: £82.

Masonic fob seal. GreatWestern Auctions, Glasgow.Feb 09. HP: £70. ABP: £82.

Collection Masonic regalia,incl. jewels, sashes, apron,etc, North and East Riding ofYorkshire, attaché case mono-grammed SJB. Dee, Atkinson& Harrison, Driffield. Feb10. HP: £70. ABP: £82.

Gold stickpin, the cornelianfinial carved with Masonicemblem. (cased) Gorringes,Lewes. Mar 01. HP: £50.ABP: £58.

Masonic sovereign holder by‘Elgin AM MFG CO’, approx50 x 20mm, engine turnedpattern with ornate patternededges, inner case stampedgold filled & with ‘1552532’.A F Brock & Co Ltd,Stockport. Feb 10. HP: £50.ABP: £58.

ANTIQUES INFO - January/February 11

Masonic Items

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Masonic cube, slight damageto two sides of fastener &one piece of fastener missing,tested 9ct & silver, rd. no.532405. (gross 6.6g) A FBrock & Co Ltd, Stockport.Nov 05. HP: £65. ABP: £76.

9ct gold Masonic jewel setwith seed pearls, Holy CrossShrine, number 143. Locke &England, Leamington Spa.Nov 08. HP: £65. ABP: £76.

9ct gold oval Masonic medal.Boldon Auction Galleries,Tyne & Wear. Sep 04. HP:£60. ABP: £70.

Victorian giltwood and gessomasonic wall mirror, withbevelled plate flanked byfluted corinthian pilasters,2ft 5in x 1ft 10in. Gorringes,Lewes. Jul 08. HP: £60.ABP: £70.

Masonic ball, approx 12mmclosed, 35 x 25mm open,stamped & tested 9ct gold &silver. (gross 7.2g) A F Brock& Co Ltd, Stockport. Feb 09.HP: £60. ABP: £70.

Antique single Albert chain,11in, open bar & twistedlink, fitted with T-bar, swivelfastener and Masonicpendant fob, stamped or h/mChester 1912. (9.7g) A FBrock & Co Ltd, Stockport.Nov 05. HP: £55. ABP: £64.

Silver table lamp, panelledcolumnar form, tapering stem,hexagonal base inscribedwith masonic presentationand signatures, 12in high,Sheffield 1929. Hartleys,Ilkley. Aug 06. HP: £55.ABP: £64.

Masonic ball, approx 18mm,opens to cross, approx 40 x30mm, very light dent tobase, stamped & tested 9ctgold & silver. (gross 6.7g) AF Brock & Co Ltd, Stockport.Jul 10. HP: £55. ABP: £64.

Gold stickpin, the cornelianfinial carved with Masonicemblem. (cased) Gorringes,Lewes. Mar 01. HP: £50.ABP: £58.

Antique Masonic ring, blackonyx, approx 18mm x mm,overlaid with gold Masonicsymbol, stamped 9ct, size Ror 8.1/2 US. (3.2g) A FBrock & Co Ltd, Stockport.Feb 07. HP: £50. ABP: £58.

Antique masonic stone setfob, approx 20mm, blood-stone base, 9ct h/m. (4.2g) AF Brock & Co Ltd, Stockport.May 08. HP: £50. ABP: £58.

9ct gold lady’s Masonicjewel, Godiva Chapter. Locke& England, Leamington Spa.Nov 08. HP: £50. ABP: £58.

Masonic sovereign holder by‘Elgin AM MFG CO’, approx50 x 20mm, engine turned

pattern with ornate patternededges, inner case stampedgold filled & with ‘1552532’.A F Brock & Co Ltd,Stockport. Feb 10. HP: £50.ABP: £58.

Masonic ball, approx 18mm,opens to cross, approx 40 x30mm, very light dent tobase, stamped & tested 9ctgold & silver. (gross 6.7g) AF Brock & Co Ltd, Stockport.May 10. HP: £50. ABP: £58.

19thC Masonic cribbagescoreboard decorated withchevron coloured woodborder, ivory and tunbridgepanels, 12.5in wide. TringMarket Auctions, Herts. Mar10. HP: £50. ABP: £58.

Masonic pendant, approx20mm dia, 9ct h/mBirmingham 1929. (3.0g) A FBrock & Co Ltd, Stockport.Feb 07. HP: £45. ABP: £52.

Masonic goblet, bowl wheelcut a variety of symbols, onplain stem and circular foot,5.5in high. Dee, Atkinson &Harrison, Driffield. Nov 07.HP: £45. ABP: £52.

Rose gold Masonic pendant,20mm. 9ct h/m Birmingham1929. (6.0g) A F Brock & CoLtd, Stockport. Nov 05. HP:£40. ABP: £47.

Boxed Masonic Bible, boxedslides of the FreemasonsHall in London and a pair ofstewards medals, also boxed.Black Country Auctions,Dudley. Sep 05. HP: £40.ABP: £47.

Masonic ball, approx 18mm,gold outer, silver inner, somedents & two arms missingfrom fastener, approx 30 x40mm open, gross 10.6g. A FBrock & Co Ltd, Stockport.Feb 10. HP: £40. ABP: £47.

Masonic, 2 aprons, withinduction papers, in leathercase, with a cased Masonicjewel. (2) Dee, Atkinson &Harrison, Driffield. Jul 04.HP: £25. ABP: £29.

ANTIQUES INFO - January/February 11