At first glance it is a small gold ball hanging from a watch chain. Open it, and it unfolds into a cross made of six engraved pyramids. The Masonic orb, also called a Masonic ball or Masonic cross, is one of the cleverest pieces of fraternal jewellery ever made.
How it works
A Masonic orb is made of hinged segments held together as a sphere. Opened, the segments swing out into a cross, each face engraved with symbols of Freemasonry. A fine example we sold, made around 1910 by Spencer & Co. of Great Queen Street, London, had a 9ct gold exterior and a silver interior, and opened into six pyramidal segments.
What the symbols mean
- Square and compasses: morality and virtue, the best-known emblem of Freemasonry.
- Skull and crossbones: a reminder of mortality and the shortness of life.
- The Eye of Providence: divine watchfulness.
Other faces may show pillars, a trowel, a level or the sun and moon, depending on the maker.
A short history
The orb's form is thought to have been inspired by the armillary sphere, an early instrument for mapping the heavens. Orbs became especially popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as watch fobs and pendants. Beyond ornament, they offered Freemasons a discreet way to recognise one another. The sphere is often said to represent the universe, and the unfolding cross a journey of moral and spiritual enlightenment.
How to spot an antique orb
- Separate, working hinges. Antique orbs have individual hinges for each segment; many modern reproductions lack a true opening mechanism.
- Hallmarks. Look for a gold or silver mark on the sphere, and a maker's mark. Spencer & Co. used "R.S." for its founder, Richard Spencer.
- Quality of engraving on every face.
- Wear consistent with a century of being opened and closed.
What is a Masonic orb worth?
Value depends on metal (solid gold, gold and silver, or silver alone), maker, hallmarks, the condition of the hinges and the crispness of the engraving. A named London maker and a solid gold exterior command a premium. We are always happy to look at an orb and give our view.
More Masonic jewellery
Masonic jewels range from presentation collar jewels to tiny charms. We currently have a mid-19th-century French Masonic charm pendant with five carved mother-of-pearl and gold symbols: the shovel, all-seeing eye, compasses, square and scales. Browse our antique pendants, or get in touch if you are looking for a Masonic orb.