Bejewelled: Diverse Identities
Freemasons call their badges 'jewels'. In this exhibit we look at the different ways a jewel can show individual and national identity.
Victory Lodge, Steward jewel (1950)Museum of Freemasonry
Women freemasons
There are Grand Lodges in the UK and all around the world for women. They are no different to the men's lodges in what they do, though their regalia does differ slightly.
Women freemasons
Victory Lodge, No. 21, was formed under the women's Grand Lodge of Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons based in the UK. This is a Steward's jewel from 1950.
Lilith Lodge, collar jewel (2012)Museum of Freemasonry
Women freemasons
This modern collar jewel from Lilith Lodge, No. 24, comes from Women's Grand Lodge of Germany - Zur Humanität (To Humanity).
The Free Spirit, collar jewel (1995)Museum of Freemasonry
Women freemasons
The collar jewels from Women's Grand Lodge of Germany - Zur Humanität (To Humanity) feature many 'New Age' symbols as well as those traditionally associated with freemasonry.
Four Elements in the Light , collar jewel (2001)Museum of Freemasonry
Women freemasons
The collar jewels from Women's Grand Lodge of Germany - Zur Humanität (To Humanity) feature many 'New Age' symbols as well as those traditionally associated with freemasonry.
Dilo Lodge, member jewel (1920) by Alphonse MuchaMuseum of Freemasonry
Alphonse Mucha and Czechoslovakia
Czech artist Alphonse Mucha is best known for his Art Nouveau posters of Parisian plays during the early 20th century. He helped restore Czech freemasonry and designed jewels among many other items. This jewel for Dilo Lodge dates from 1920.
Jan Amos Komensky (Comenius) Lodge, member jewel (1919)Museum of Freemasonry
Alphonse Mucha and Czechoslovakia
This jewel for Jan Amos Komensky (Comenius) Lodge from 1919 demonstrates Mucha's renowned motifs from the Art Nouveau style.
Poster for the rolling paper manufactuer "Job" (1897) by Alphonse MuchaKunstbibliothek, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Alphonse Mucha and Czechoslovakia
Spot the similarities with one of his graphic posters from the same period.
Josef Dobrovsky Lodge, member jewel (1922)Museum of Freemasonry
Alphonse Mucha and Czechoslovakia
Mucha remained a proud freemason until his death in 1939. This followed a long interrogation at the hands of the occupying German army in Prague during the Second World War.
Zu den 3 Turmen - Rothenburg, member jewel (1947)Museum of Freemasonry
Germany after the war
Freemasonry was popular in Germany but banned by the Third Reich during the Second World War.
Worms, member jewel (1948)Museum of Freemasonry
Germany after the war
After the war materials were hard to come by. So freemasons made standard pattern ceramic jewels.
Friedrich zur Frankentreue Or. Kulmbach, member jewel (1947)Museum of Freemasonry
Germany after the war
Freemasons hand-painted the ceramic jewels with their individual lodge identities.
International appeal
After freemasonry became organised in 1717 with the formation of the first Grand Lodge in London, it gradually spread across the globe. Let's look at some international jewels.
Many belong to countries like America where freemasonry thrives. Some belong to countries that no longer exist, like Yugoslavia. Several belong to countries like China and Iran where freemasonry has been banned in modern times. A few remain a mystery even to us. Can you tell where any of these jewels come from?
