Early 19th Century Gold Masonic Jewel

[OWK]

Some of you may recall that I found my first US Large Cent a few weeks ago in my Father's back yard in SE Pennsylvania. It was a pretty rough specimen, but I did give a date of 1820. Perfect age for what the early maps say was a Methodist Church in his back yard. The Church was built before 1820, and was moved in 1860.

Since that time I have been back to my Fathers' house several times, finding nothing more exciting than a few beat up Indian Heads, some bent up period brass, and a lot of early forged nails. Until today. Nice weather, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

I have tried to be selective with what I dig, because there are MANY targets in my Dad's yard. Within about a half hour of getting started I hit a solid 50 target on my F70. I hit this target the last time I was hunting the same spot, and passed it up. Not sure why, but today I decided to dig it. Glad I did. About 5 inches deep.

Near as I can tell, it is a Masonic Jewel made of 18K gold (acid tested). It is not marked in any way (which means it is likely of American manufacture). Note on the front, the bright-cut decoration (typical of late 1700's to early 1800's silver work). On the top half of the piece is a Masonic compass and square. On the bottom, is a Masonic arch. Both are symbols used to decorate masonic Jewel pieces.

As I have learned this afternoon, a masonic "jewel" is a medal, medallion, fob, necklace, or other precious metal article decorated with Masonic symbols, and worn in ceremony. This piece seems most likely to have been hanging from a chest medal or similar item. Note that the inside cavity is hollow (which was sometimes used to place ceremonial scrolls, etc, inside).

I'm certainly not an expert, but this thing looks like a pretty cool early Masonic item to me.

 

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[OWK]

That is very cool! You've found an interesting and unique object. Have you ever seen The Man Who Would Be King with Sean Connery and Michael Caine? If not, try to get a copy to watch. It will make your discovery all the more exciting. Congrats on a great find!

I haven't seen it. But I like Both Connery and Caine, and I love a good story.. so I will.

 

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[Argentium]

OWK, I just saw your response and I must say - you make a very compelling case for it being masonic with your high lighted
pic and the other illustrations . I'm always impressed with the education this site offers, and I'm eager to learn more about this
remarkable find .

 

[MackDog]

No need to be reluctant in your skepticism. Discussion is good.

I pondered over this piece for awhile before making the post, and concluded that the represented motif (although admittedly stylistic) could not be accidental. Particularly the compass and square. (I have taken the liberty of roughly highlighting the compass and square in blue).

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Given the unusual nature of the piece (it is a hollow pass-through rectangle with the center completely open, as if to store something), and the compass and square represented at the top, I really couldn't draw any other conclusion. Some might argue that this represents wishful thinking, but I really don't have any particular desire for this to be a masonic piece. I simply called it as I see it. It's a small piece, and the decoration is bright-cut (making it stylistic rather than representational) but that sure looks like a compass and square to me.

I can't think of any reason that a piece of jewelry would be made with a hollow pass through center (lockets were already common), and include a bright-cut representation of a compass and square, unless it were intended as a Masonic piece.

But I'm open to other interpretations.

Because of the eyelet on top of the compass I agree I think it's a Masonic piece. Nice find

 

[WHADIFIND]

That is a very interesting piece. I wonder if it might have held some sort of cloth/ribbon or some such. Such as in ceremony.

In any case, a very nice find!

 

[OWK]

That is a very interesting piece. I wonder if it might have held some sort of cloth/ribbon or some such. Such as in ceremony.

In any case, a very nice find!

Staring at this thing this morning, I kinda wonder if it wasn't some kind of connecting piece for a medal, where the ribbon was held in this gold piece, which connected it to a medallion below, and a pin above.

I dunno. Could be anything I suppose... The Masons certainly had all kinds of shiny and dangly bits.

Some look similar to this one.

 

[OWK]

OWK, I just saw your response and I must say - you make a very compelling case for it being masonic with your high lighted
pic and the other illustrations . I'm always impressed with the education this site offers, and I'm eager to learn more about this
remarkable find .

Still not certain, but I'm compelled enough to try to learn more.

 

[Got_4by4]

Thanks.

Took a few minutes to figure out it was actually old. I was pretty jazzed.

Other than seeing what you WANT to see, You don't include any links to items of similar design or other background info of items as old as you think this is. Other pics of masonic items are distinct in their design and not general such as this. There has to be an explanation for the hollow and links to research to back up the findings. The last thing that puzzles me is why if being 18K it isn't a brighter color. Did you do the test or someone else? I AM NOT CONVINCED!

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[OWK]

I AM NOT CONVINCED!

Your opinion on the subject is a matter of complete indifference to me, as I suspect it is to most.

Let me offer you this free complimentary puppy to kick.

 

[wheatfinder13]

Other than seeing what you WANT to see, You don't include any links to items of similar design or other background info of items as old as you think this is. Other pics of masonic items are distinct in their design and not general such as this. There has to be an explanation for the hollow and links to research to back up the findings. The last thing that puzzles me is why if being 18K it isn't a brighter color. Did you do the test or someone else? I AM NOT CONVINCED!

Chill dude,
Nice find by the way

 

[Argentium]

Got 4by4 - C'mon you really can't be serious ! You really aren't capable of expressing a difference of opinion without going
on an angry rant - SERIOUSLY

 

[Dopalgangr]

Your opinion on the subject is a matter of complete indifference to me, as I suspect it is to most. Let me offer you this free complimentary puppy to kick.

now that's hilarious! BTW Got 4by4, If you bothered to read his first post he states that he acid tested it for gold.

 

[WHADIFIND]

Your opinion on the subject is a matter of complete indifference to me, as I suspect it is to most.

WHAT!?!? You mean you DON'T post on here so that you can be put on trial

 

[testing123]

that's a beautiful find! Old gold is great

 

[thommo59]

That is cool

 

[Old Dude]

OWK, I remember reading your posts on this forum because you always give very informative and well presented opinions and thoughts. In the last year and a half that I have been a member here, I have noticed another thing: It seems those who give the most advice and have the strongest opinions NEVER post any finds themselves! I find this very odd. How is it they can know what they are talking about with no evidence of experience in the hobby themselves? It seems some of these people are not here for the same reasons most of us are....to learn and help others, but to try and impress by spreading doubt or strong armed opinions. You have a nice piece and I will not let jealousy dictate my thoughts on it.

 

[DavidGC]

As a Master Mason, my first thought when viewing the item was, "OK, compass and square, masonic."
The Masonic "Jewels" you refer to in your original post are usually much larger than this piece. I do not think it is one of these.
This item is small enough to have been worn as a pin, a pendant or even on a charm bracelet.
The hollow nature of the item is curious. It implies that something would have been held inside - a miniature booklet perhaps? I can't imagine what (this is not part of any Masonic ritual I know of -- though each state can have slightly different traditions).
I'm wondering if this might have been meant for a woman. Women cannot be Freemasons, but there are other organizations (Like the Eastern Star) that use some of the same symbols, and Masons might buy jewelry for a spouse or daughter with symbols on it.

Definitely an interesting find!

 

[coin1921]

OWK,
Found this under antique mason jewelery
Not exact, but similar.

 

[jewelerguy]

very cool!

 

[WawaDuane]

I am also a Master Mason and I do believe this to be Masonic in nature but for what I'm not sure. If it held something it would have had to have been very small. Cool find for sure.