Masonic item

[mojjax]

It's a small metal print block with Masonic stuff on it . I would like any info on what branch of Masonicism it might be .

It says (backwards translated to forward))

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES

BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH

Thanks !

 

[JimDon]

The translation for In Hoc Signo Vinces... is In this Sign, You Will Conquer.

 

[Fast_Dave]

The translation for In Hoc Signo Vinces... is In this Sign, You Will Conquer.

The quote and the cross and crown motif on the bottom are both symbols of the Knights Templar.

 

[traderoftreasures]

i flipped image for you i hope you don't mind.

 

[mojjax]

i flipped image for you i hope you don't mind.

Thanks ! How'd you do that ?

 

[trikikiwi]

Another cool Whatisit? mojjax How did you find that?

Mike

 

[ivan salis]

latin -- in hoc singo vinces -- (in this sign victory) -- commonly stated as "in this sign , you will conquer"

the christian religion became ok in roman controlled areas --after roman emperor Constantine in 312 after seeing the cross and being told "to mark this sign upon your sheild for victory" -- he won a huge upset victory and converted to christ as his wife helena ( later st helena) was also christain as well.

the left symbol is the well known -- its the "blue lodge" 3rd degree "master masons symbol" -- the center one is the "triple tau" aka york rite "royal ach" 4th degree symbol --- the right symbol is the malteses cross --from the brave knights of the island of malta --who in their fortress in malta repelled a huge invading muslim army that meant to use malta as a staging point for the invasion of christian europe m their bravery earn them a special award from the pope of the time for their order. --

the crown in the cross is of course a knights templer type of symbol --"christ is king "

 

[trikikiwi]

Just had another look at this little treasure and I'm wondering if it is a wax seal intaglio, rather than a printing block. From what I can make out from the pics, it seems there would be few details left from using it to print, due to the obvious high points. The cross-hatching detail for example, doesn't look like it would transfer in a print.
Mojjax, any chance you can do a pencil/charcoal rub on it and then compare that to pressing the 'plate' into some playdough or similar?

Mike

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Another cool Whatisit? mojjax How did you find that?

Mike

I agree. Cool Item ...Is it a dug treasure?

 

[mojjax]

Another cool Whatisit? mojjax How did you find that?

Mike

I agree. Cool Item ...Is it a dug treasure?

Thanks , It is not dug , I bought a box of trinkets at a rummage sale .

Thats some nice info on the symbols , Ivan !

I will try transfer it to a piece of paper or something when I get home from work .

 

[traderoftreasures]

i have got a flip option on my microsoft picture manager.

 

[Monty]

If it was used to print it would be backwards on paper or a seal , so I don't think that's what it was for. Monty

 

[IronSpike]

I just flipped it back

 

[Monty]

Yes, that would work! Monty

 

[mojjax]

I got an ink stamp pad at the Dollar Store - here's how it came out :

 

[ivan salis]

the center item -- the circle O *outer* is omicron -- the triagle is delta

 

[trikikiwi]

I got an ink stamp pad at the Dollar Store - here's how it came out :

Looks like most of the detail can be seen, so I'll agree with 'printing block'

Mike

 

[Tubecity]

Nice piece. The emblems show 3 of the 4 bodies of York Rite Masonry. Square & Compass- Blue Lodge,
Triple Tau in the triangle-Royal Arch & the last represents Knights Templar. The one missing is called
'Council' . The 'triple tau' is a Royal Arch emblem meaning the 3 T's. The tau being the 19th letter in the
Greek alphabet. The Royal Arch 'triple tau' consists of 3 T's linked in the center & joined at their bases.
This is surrounded by what is called the 'Equilateral Triangle' & both of these are symbols of Royal Arch
Masonry & have numerous meanings. So the York Rite consists of Blue Lodge, Chapter(Royal Arch) ,
Council & Commandery(Knights Templar). Again great find & no digging .

 

[Unicorn]

Would be used as a heading for stationery I presume?

 

[ivan salis]

ah triple tau * ( tau being a "T" shape in the greek alphabet)--- york rite 4 th degree aka "royal arch" degree knew I had seen it before .