Highly Engraved Masonic Ball
and Cross FOB
This all Silver Masonic ball dates to circa 1890-1900.
Weight approx 10 grams and
diameter 18mm - Country
of origin UK
Unlike normal Masonic orbs which tend to be solid gold exteriors and silver
interiors this ball is constructed of all solid silver throughout.
Prior to engraving both the interior and exterior silver has been treated in
order to give the silver a black oxidised finish, when new it would have
resembled a black balloting ball, As the engraving work is then undertaken to
the interior it creates the sharp contrast of black and white as the cut silver
bellow is tooled and exposed.
The
engraving on this orb has been undertaken to an incredible high standard.
The
face of the skull itself for example measures a mere 3/16" or approx 4mm length
x width, when you consider that the detailed engraved face has been created by
perhaps 200 faultlessly accurate incisions by the engravers tools you get some
idea of the skill involved.
At
the time the clearly master craftsman would have most likely been using only a
jewellers loops and working by candle light.
The
current owner of the ball has shown this particular ball to some top hand
engravers in the UK.
Their thoughts are that in their professional estimations it would have taken
approximately over a 60-70 man hours to complete the work on this one ball
alone.
For
that reason it would not have made commercial sense to undertake the work on an
all silver ball, it is more likely therefore that this individual ball was
created by a mason who was a master engraver for himself as a labour of love.
A
special "Thank You" to Wor. Bro. Paul McEvoy of Goulburn Menturia Lodge 3478,
England which meets in Bolton in Lancashire UK
www.gmlodge3478.co.uk
Wor. Bro.
Paul also does a bit of trading on eBay under the name paulmcevoy1
We
Thank him for sharing this beautiful Orb from his private collection with our
museum!
