Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Jewel for Howard E. Clark from Belmont Lodge with case
1950
a: Maker not marked; b: Kettell, Blake & Read
a: Place made not marked; b: USA: Massachusetts, Boston
a: gold, enamel; b: leather, silk, metal, ink
Overall a: 4-7/8"h x 2-3/4"w x 1/8"d; Overall b: 1/4"h x 7-1/2"w x 12-1/2"d (open); 1/2"h x 5-7/8"w x 3-1/4"d (closed)
Gift of Chester E. Clark
2020.018.4a-b

Masonic Jewel from Belmont Lodge with case. a: OBVERSE: Masonic (possibly Past Master) Jewel from Belmont Lodge is of cast gold. Pin bar at top in shape of arched banner; raised "BELMONT" across it, with finial and decorative flourishes along top; flared, notched banner ends on either side. Suspended from this via two o-rings is a wreath with interlocking, openwork "H", "E" and "C" within. Suspended from this via one o-ring, a Past Master emblem of a square and compasses with an arc below; hinge of compasses has round turquoise (possibly enamel) cobochon with gold bezel surround; decorative carving on compasses' arms; hash marks and decorative carving along square and arc (with arc also bearing numbers "15", "30", "45", 60", "75" and "90"; applied to back of compasses, an 8-armed star with radiating ray texture and a calligraphic "G" applied at center. REVERSE: Pin bar backing has hinge at one end and hook closure at other; below, openwork section of star, square, and bottom arc has six small round bolt heads where it is attached to front; on star section, "BELMONT / LODGE / to" is engraved; on square section, "W. B. Howard E. Clark, P. M."; and on arc section, "Belmont, Mass Dec. 12, 1950". b: Original, black leather case. EXTERIOR: Calligraphic "Howard E. Clark" embossed in gold on top flap over black coated metal snap. INTERIOR: Four flaps with snap closure. Side two flaps lined with black leather; PL flap bears gold stamped text, "KETTEL, BLAKE & READ / 387 WASHINGTON ST. / BOSTON, MASS." with gold metal snap above. Top and bottom flaps lined with royal blue satin (possibly silk). Central panel lined with dark blue velvet (possibly silk).