Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Bracelet with Order of Eastern Star Inscription
ca. 1871
Maker not marked
USA: Massachusetts (probably)
Gold, enamel, metal, pearl
overall: 3/4"h x 3-5/8"w x 5/8"d
Gift of Sylvia Sleeper
2016.015.1

Bracelet with Order of Eastern Star Inscription. Gold band, 7/16" wide, is made up of small, close-together links to form a mesh-like appearance. At one end, there are three flat,1/8"-thick layered gold panels, two making up the top design and the third, the backing with inscription. Of the two top layers, the bottom one has curved and pointed edges which are outlined with black enamel infill, and the top one features two geometric lobes with black enamel fleur-de-lis designs on them; running from the bottom layer over the top one are two ribbed arcs of gold metal (similar to bullion in appearance) surrounding a line of gold balls with a white pearl inside a round, gold bezel at center. The layer which makes up the backing is rectangular and feaures hand-engraved text in cursive: "Stella Chapter / to the / Secretary / Mrs M A Johnson / Worcester Mass."; it is hollow inside, and open on the end to receive the clasp. At the other end of the bracelet is the clasp end of the closure, a folded piece of gold metal which has a longer, thin gold tab affixed to it for depressing and releasing the spring closure. A thin gold chain, 2" long, secured by gold loops at either end, connects the ends of the bracelet to each other.