Antique pendant Masonic ball / Masonic orb / Masonic fob transformative Cross. Gold and gilt-silver. Made late 19th to early 20th century. Likely made in America with a later French loop.
Man's jewelry.
Measurements:
Weight is 15.4 grams. Ball is approximately 5/8 inch in diameter (16mm). When open,
Description :
An ingenious transformative pendant jewel. A round ball or orb with a large loop to hang from a chain and commonly hung as a fob. 4 bright-cut engraved arms arch over and fit onto the outside of the globe. They end in Tri-lobed fleur-de-lis that catch over tiny gold protrusions. Their form is Gothic - reminiscent of the Knights of Old. These hinged arms fit snugly over the globe. When lifted / unlatched, they allow the ball to open, transforming it into a cross. The form is that of a Latin Cross with a long vertical beam and shorter lateral arms. The cross is composed internally of 6 pyramid forms. Each of the 4 sides of each pyramid is engraved with a Masonic symbol.
Masonic symbols include symbols such as sun and stars and tools such as hammers, compass and balances. These are all significant in the world of the Free Masons.
Marks and Metal:
The outside of the orb is 9k gold. The inside is gilt silver. The loop is 18k gold. While the loop has a French hallmark, it is presumed to be a later addition as usually these orbs were made in the USA or England.
Condition:
Good with negligible wear commensurate with age. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.
THE STORY:
Free Masonry is a fraternal society that goes back to the Knights Templar and is still strong, if somewhat altered in aim, today. During its long history, Masonry was at times illegal and its members persecuted, so they developed a symbolic language to identify other members without alerting the authorities to their identity. Such a fob pendant is an example. The symbolism which is a big part of Masonry, changes depending on the lodge and the status of the particular member. There is not a single set of symbols.
While orbs of this kind were usually made in the USA, they originated in England during the 17th century.
Many groups of Free Masons today are to be commended for their charitable work. Notable in my personal life are the Shriners, who built a network of unique hospitals in the USA that treat rare burns and orthopedic cases. I am indebted to them.
