Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Knights Templar Sash, "V. A. M."
1900-1914 (likely)
Maker not marked
USA (likely)
Synthetic fiber, metal, cotton, paper, ink
overall: 72"h x 4-1/2"w x 1/2"d
Gift of Dorset Provincial Museum and Library, Parkstone, Poole, UK
2016.018.9

Masonic Knights Templar Sash, "V. A. M." Obverse/exterior: Sash faced with black velvet (likely silk) and has silver metallic thread trim along edges. Black silk rosette at front bottom has silver metal square and compasses affixed at center; another rosette at top behind neck has silver metal delta affixed at center. Along PR side, two metal emblems are affixed: top one is in shape of Templar cross and has gold and silver filigree under domed glass cover; bottom one is shaped like a star and has a domed glass disk at center under which is a gold and silver snake wrapped around a sword upon a red (likely silk) background. Suspended from front tip is a black plastic (likely)-handled dagger with a gold hilt and blade; a black silk bow is tied at the top of it where it meets the collar. Reverse/interior: Black cotton lining. On PL side, two circles of gold-colored metal rings: one of four rings (upper), and the other of nine (lower)below these is a white rectangular sticker with "549" printed on it in black. . On PR side, white rectangular paper tag has "Thomas" handwritten in faded black or brown ink.