Sheffield Freemasonry
Loving cup with wooden stand presented by the Freemasons of the District of Madras to W. Bro. Charles James Higgs, 26th February, 1916.
Silver tyg form cup with three handles and on a stepped circular foot. At the top of the body of the cup is a chased and repoussé band of acorn and oak leafs. Below this a plain central band with an inscription on one side. This leads down to chased and repoussé leaves and berries.
The cup stands on a circular ebonized wooden stand, which has the maker’s details on the top and eight cast circular silver plaques around the sides each bearing a lodge badge. The first is for Lodge of Perfect Unanimity, No. 150 and consists of the Moderns Grand Lodge coat of arms in relief, which is surmounted by a knight’s helmet, which has a bird on top that is on a corded rope and flanked by foliage. At the bottom is a set square and compass.
The second plaque is for Lodge Justitia, No. 3457 (now under the Grand Lodge of India and re-numbered No. 82) and consists of the roman deity Justitia, who is seated wearing robes and holding a sword and scales. There is text below her reading ‘No. 3457’ and a border encircling her that is bearing the text ‘JUSTITIA / INTERNA. ET. EXTERNA’.
The third plaque is for Pitt MacDonald Lodge, No. 1198 and consists of a shield with a relief bearded man holding a globe, a set square and a scroll. On each side of him is an engraved set square and compasses, and to his right is also a star. Below is banner with text in relief reading ‘PER MARE / PER / TERRAS’.
The forth plaque is for Lodge of St. George, No. 2532 and consists of a relief depiction of St. George on horseback slaying the dragon. Below is banner with text in relief reading ‘VIS UNITA FORTIOR’.
The fifth plaque is for John Miller Lodge, No. 1906 and consists of a cushion in relief, which has a Volume of Sacred Law on it that is bearing a set square and compass. There is an All-seeing eye above and a banner with text in relief reading ‘SEMPER / FAMA / VIRET’.
The sixth plaque is for Universal Charity Lodge, No. 273 and consists of a bowed arm holding a feather that is on a corded rope, which is within a triangle engraved with scrolling foliage. There is a banner below with text in relief reading ‘OMNIBUS / OMNIA’. The seventh plaque is for Mount Lodge, No. 926 (now under the Grand Lodge of India and re-numbered No. 14) and consists of the top half of a ?patron saint, who is wearing robes and a crown, holding a board in their left hand, which has a set square and compass on it and pointing to it with their right. There is a banner below with text in relief reading ‘MONTES UNDE AUXILIUM’.
The eighth plaque is for Carnatic Lodge, No. 2031 (now under the Grand Lodge of India and re-numbered No. 39) and consists of a set square and compass in relief and surrounding a ‘G’. This is flanked by two columns in relief that are supporting an entablature with a sun and moon at each end and text in relief reading ‘LODGE CARNATIC’. There is a pediment above with two globes at each end an All-seeing eye in relief in the centre. The columns are standing on a three tiered steps, with text in relief along the bottom reading ‘LOVE AND TRUTH’.
In 1961 Grand Lodge of India was formed and Mount Lodge, No. 926, Carnatic Lodge, No. 2031 and Lodge Justitia, No. 3457 were transferred from the roll of United Grand Lodge of England to the Indian constitution and re-numbered as Mount Lodge, No. 14, Carnatic Lodge, No. 39 and Lodge Justitia, No. 82.
(Taken from www.freemasonry.london.museum)
