1888/8
Picture Collection - Worcestershire Museum of Freemasonry
Grand Lodge of England - P Lambert 1787
WMLMT Classification:- Print/Plate
Description
"The French / English engraver Peter Lambert (also known as Pierre Lambert de Lintot) is best known for his Masonic engravings
This 1787 engraving shows Saints Mary and Elizabeth, seated with the Christ child and the Baptist child, and is dedicated to the Grand Master, His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland.
The top of the stipple etching is inscribed at the top centre with the Prince of Wales’s Three Feathers and motto ‘ICH DIEN’ (I serve), ‘GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND’, and ‘GRAND ELECTED’.
The figures within the oval represent St Mary, seated right, holding up and looking towards a shining pyramid lettered E within a square and a circle. In her lap, the Christ child twists to hold compasses over the head of the kneeling child Baptist, both holding their arms out to touch a shining pentagon, with St Elizabeth ushering the Baptist forward. The banner of victory, featuring a Latin cross and a white banner / ribbon symbolising Christ’s triumph over death and sin, can be seen faintly to the right of St Mary.
To the left and above St. Elizabeth, the building is inscribed SION, lower is a pillar decorated with symbols, XXXI (31 in Roman Numerals), then inscribed 'NEC PLUS ULTRA' (No More No More), together with a seven-rung ladder lettered ‘K’. In Freemasonry, the 7-rung ladder represent the four Cardinal Virtues (Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, Justice) and the three Theological Virtues (Faith, Hope, Charity).
Euclid’s 47th Problem is illustrated to the right of the pillar and inscribed above with SKI (Solomon King of Israel), ‘T’ and ‘L I’, and below along with variations on a Tau Cross.
There are further numerological / mystical symbols in the four corners.
The bottom of the print is inscribed ‘DEDICATED TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND. GRAND MASTER' in English and in French either side of a medallion pendant to the oval with eagles, a dagger, branch, and a pentagram below.
Around the outside of the medallion are the mottos of the Masonic Royal Order of Scotland ‘VIRTUTE ET SILENTIA’ (By Virtue and Silence), and the English Order of the Garter, ‘HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE’ (Shame on him who thinks evil of it). The centre of the medallion contains a Tower Inside a Triangle (the insignia of an Introductor and Examiner of the Masonic Royal Order of Scotland).
The print is inscribed around bottom of the oval with 'P Lambert RA. Röuen. invet & sculpsit.', and at the bottom with: 'By P Lambert de Lintot Mr of the Lodge. No 53. - no 5 Cobham Row Cold Bath Fields - London 1787. According to Act of Parliament'."
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