Exhibition: Bejewelled: Badges, Brotherhood and Identity

Bejewelled: Badges, Brotherhood and Identity features stunning examples of masonic badges referred to as ‘jewels’ from the long tradition in English freemasonry. With additions from around the world, Bejewelled: Badges, Brotherhood and Identity is the largest gathering of masonic jewels ever exhibited in the UK.

Worn by members over three centuries, the history of freemasonry is told through examples like the splendid Past Master’s jewel of the Authors’ Lodge no 3456, to the historic Barraclough Plate Jewel, to the humble Changi Prison Jewel made by the Prince of Wales Lodge no 1555 during World War II internment. The beautiful craftsmanship that the jewels display is only matched by the story behind each one.

While drawing on the art form within freemasonry, the exhibition reflects on how we have all worn badges in our day-to-day lives, and how we have imbued meaning in these small personal objects.