TWO RAMS' HORN TABLE SNUFF MULLS, OF MASONIC INTEREST
EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Estimate: £2,500 - £3,500
Auction: Day 2 - Thurs 15th May from 10am | Lots 314 to 602
Description
the first with twin ram's horns mounted with hinged brass covers, one engraved with Masonic symbols, the other engraved with a presentation inscription ‘The Carlisle Branch/ Operative Lodge/ From Dumfries NT 138/ Feb 22nd 1825’, mounted on a brass carriage; the other with a single ram's horn mounted with a painted cast iron figure of a Scotsman taking a pinch of snuff, the horn with a hinged cover with brass presentation plaque engraved ‘UNION LODGE/ No. 555/ Carlisle’, on a brass carriage (2)
Dimensions
38cm wide, 24cm high, 23cm deep; and 30cm wide, 22cm high, 17cm wide
Provenance
Collection of a Scottish Borders gentleman
Footnote
The date on the first mull relates to the permission for the formation of the lodge granted under Certificate of Sanction. The first meeting was held on the 28 January 1825 when several Freemasons "were admitted members of our Lodge, being operative Masons and of good character" and on the meeting of the following day several other Masons were initiated and after this "business was settled, it was suggested by Bro. John Thomson R.W.M, the propriety of establishing a branch of the Operative Lodge of Dumfries in Carlisle." A month later it is recorded that the Lodge met in Dumfries to receive the authority of the P. G Master for this step, this snuff mull was possibly given to the Lodge to mark the occasion.