- 352
TWO AMERICAN SILVER MASONIC JEWELS AND A COMPASS, MID-19TH CENTURY
Estimate
800 - 1,200 USD
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Description
- height of first 3 7/8 in.
- 10 cm
comprising: a Past Master's jewel, engraved "Presented to W.P.M. Lemuel Bradford by Rising Virtue Lodge No. 10, Bangor Me. Jan. 1865.", unmarked; an officer's jewel, probably for combined treasurer and secretary (Scribe-Bursar), the back marked Copyright 1874 S. S. Davis S.C. / Supreme Lodge; and an engraved compass, marked J.S.COIN possibly for Joseph Seymour & Co., Syracuse, New York, active c. 1850.
Condition
some wear to second, otherwise good
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
Lemuel Bradford (1814-1883) was also a director of the Farmer's Bank at Bangor and part owner of the schooner Josiah Hawthorne; in 1869, he was elected Grand King of the Grand Chapter of Maine.
Obverse of compasses. The pivot point is inscribed with the Blazing Star, a nondenominational masonic symbol alluding to the omnipresence of God, and more often seen on so-called working tools in U.K. or European lodges.
Obverse of compasses. The pivot point is inscribed with the Blazing Star, a nondenominational masonic symbol alluding to the omnipresence of God, and more often seen on so-called working tools in U.K. or European lodges.
Obverse of officer’s jewel. Intended to be pinned to the pocket or lapel as facilitated by the safety pin clasp mounted to the back of the nameplate, which is uninscribed. This is a higher-quality and earlier version of types that were manufactured in quantity and sold as sets to lodges by jewelers and fraternal suppliers. The delta upon which the skeleton key and quill pen devices are mounted is not traditionally used in masonic lodges, more likely some other fraternal order. The key and pen allude to the offices of treasurer and secretary, which are separate functions and titles in most masonic bodies, but sometimes combined in other fraternal bodies, under titles such as that of Scribe-Bursar.