Description
One part of the antiques and collectibles market that may seem a little strange and unfamiliar to people are the objects and items associated with Freemasonry, but it would be foolish not to recognize the dynamism of this particular area of collecting.
Freemasonry, with its unique practices, had obscure origins in the late 16th and early 17th centuries; it found many followers in Scotland and Ireland, and has reached all corners of the world. Its reach was so vast that in the 18th century, George Washington, the first president of the newly formed United States of America, and other notable Founding Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, were practicing Freemasons. In Great Britain, several members of the Royal Family have been involved in Freemasonry since King Edward VII was installed as Grand Master in 1874, and today the current Duke of Kent holds the title of Grand Master.
Masonic rituals are based on the symbolism of the construction of King Solomon's Temple; masons use symbols of stonemasonry tools, including compasses, squares, and trowels, on items associated with this craft. Lodges are the local meeting places for members that are controlled by larger Grand Lodges. Freemasons Hall, located on Great Queen Street in London, is a stunning art deco building designed by architects Henry Victor Ashley and F. Winton Newman. It was built just after the First World War as a memorial to the 3,225 Freemasons who lost their lives in that terrible war. It is now a Grade II listed building. There has been a Masonic meeting place on the site of Freemasons Hall since 1775. Within Freemasons Hall is the Museum of Freemasonry, which contains, in my opinion, one of the finest collections of Masonic memorabilia. Items on display include personal possessions of famous Freemasons such as King Edward VII and Winston Churchill, as well as antique china, silver, furniture, clocks, jewelry, and regalia.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.