1890/337
Jewel & Medal Collection - Worcestershire Museum of Freemasonry
White Metal Medal:- Dedication of Masonic Temple. New York 1875
Date:- 1875 - Classification:- Building; Consecration/Dedication
Country of Origin:- USA -
Description
This medal was struck on the occasion of the dedication of the Masonic Temple in New York, June, 1875, under the authority of the Grand Lodge, for the benefit of its Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund, It is in the form of a shield, two and one-quarter inches long, and one and nine-sixteenths inches at its greatest breadth. A ring at the top held a ribbon attached to a clasp.
These arms are nearly those of the English Grand Lodge of “Ancient” Masons, so called previous to the “Union.” The Grand Lodge of New York was formed at the suggestion of the “Ancients,” although all, or nearly all, of its constituent Lodges derived their authority from the “Moderns.” For this reason, we presume, the New York Grand Lodge assumed these arms, with the omission of the Hebrewcharacters, if that be intentional.
OBVERSE—View of the Temple, over which, in a semicircle, “Masonic Temple, New York,” and at the top the All.seeing Eye in rays ; below the Temple, in two lines, the second curving, ‘‘ Dedicated June 2nd, 1875.”
REVERSE—Arms of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York: A cross vert, voided argent; the field beneath the cross quarterly azure and or:—-1, a lion couchant; 2, an ox passant; 3, a man with arms uplifted; 4, an eagle displayed. Crest, the ark of the Covenant between two cherubs facing inward,their wings extending over it. Supporters, two cherubim, each having one wing extended over the shield and crest, the other drooping by its side. The shield itself is circular, and its sides are formed by a wreath of olive-branches tied at the base, and resting on a ribbon bearing the motto “Holiness to the Lord.” A five-pointed star is stamped in the border below the motto. At the top are the square and compasses; a level is placed upon the square, and a ribbon passing behind it is wound over the legs of the compasses, the ends turned up above the wings of the cherubim.
Properties
40 X 47 mm. White metal
