Page 132 - An account of the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235. 1777 to 2012UGLE

132 An Account of the

and is known to have exhibited eighteen works at the Royal Academy from 1809
to 1827, while Bro. Harper was a silversmith and jeweller. It is conceivable of
course that Bro. Brighty refunded to the Lodge the ten guineas paid to Bro.
Harper, and so regarded the jewel as his own gift, but it seems much more likely
that he painted it himself, dissatisfied, it may be, with Bro. Harper’s production.
In 1929 it came to the knowledge of the Lodge that a miniature representing
Apollo, and inscribed on the back “Lodge of Nine Muses”, was in the possession of
the Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire, and W. Bro. Fenton, P.P.G. Librarian
of Warwickshire, attended the meeting of the Nine Muses on 21 November 1929,
bringing the jewel for the inspection of the Brethren.
Through the courtesy of W. Bro. Samuel Guise, P.G. Secretary for Warwickshire,
the writer was enabled in January 1938 to make, in company with Bros. Guise
and Fenton, a close examination of this jewel, which forms part of the valuable
collection of Masonic relics and curiosities housed at the Masonic Temple in
Broad Street, Birmingham.
The miniature has no frame, but is otherwise of the same size and general
make as the Cipriani jewels.
Bro. Guise has since kindly sent the Lodge a coloured photograph of this
jewel, of the same size as the original.
The god stands facing slightly to the left; the breast down to the waist is
bare, as are the left arm and leg. The rest of the body is draped in blue; a pink
garment hangs from the shoulders down the back, and covers part of the right
arm. The right hand holds a square, and under the left arm is tucked a lyre. The
face is somewhat effeminate and the head is crowned with laurel. The general
effect is gay and not unpleasing, but the drawing is faulty and the colouring
commonplace.
The lettering on the back is similar to that on the Cipriani jewels.
Unfortunately the closest examination fails to show any indication of maker
or date.
The jewel formed part of the “Booth Collection” of Masonic rarities, and was
purchased some years ago by the Grand Lodge of Warwickshire. The collector is
dead, and it is not known how he came by it.