Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Jewel from British Order of Ancient Free Gardeners with case
1900-1930
Maker not marked
England
a: metal, silk, enamel; b: paper, silk, metal
a: 3-5/8"h x 1-1/2"w x 1/4"d; b: closed: 5-3/8"h x 2-7/16"w x 13/16"d; b: open: 5-3/8"h x 5-1/8"w x 7/16"d
Gift of Arthur M. Kinne
2016.023.1a-b

Jewel from British Order of Ancient Free Gardeners with case. a: OBVERSE: Pin bar across top is made of gold with colored enamel inlay. Central design of rectangular garden gate features symbol of Ancient Free Gardeners over it (square and compasses with half-open pruning knife in center, in red, blue, and black enamel) and, clockwise from top PR, the letters "P", "G", "E", and "H" around it, in gold circles infilled with green enamel. Behind gate, ends of pin bar extend a further 3/8" on either side and feature stamped decorative scrollwork and three pointed, ball-tipped finials at their ends. Suspended from pin bar is 1-1/4" length of 1"-wide silk ribbon that is navy blue with red stripes near the outer edges. Ribbon gathers into ring at bottom which connects it to flat gold jewel featuring colored enamel. Jewel is shaped like a shield with decorative scrollwork around the top and sides; in a band around its edge that is infilled with navy blue enamel are the raised words, in gold, "BRITISH ORDER OF / ANCIENT / FREE GARDENERS". In center there is a raised monogram with a stippled background: a green enamel-infilled "P" and a blue enamel-infilled "M" are twined together with a red enamel-infilled decorative W shape. a: REVERSE: Gold pin backing has hinge on one side and hook on other. No inscription on back of jewel. b: EXTERIOR: Blue, stippled, coated paper covering to rectangular cardboard box (visible where broken on cover). Two gold metal hinges on one long side; round gold metal push-button clasp on other. b: INTERIOR: Base of box features navy blue velvet (likely silk)-covered padding inside, with white paper lining around it, and gold metal prong along side that forms inside of clasp. Cover features off-white silk-covered padding.