Bejewelled: Wearable Identity

Before the Second World War the tradition of wearing all your jewels led to miniature versions becoming popular. Henry Bladon, a jewel maker, created the largest miniature group ever worn. There are 72 accurate miniatures on his patent hanger.

Before the Second World War the tradition of wearing all your jewels led to miniature versions becoming popular. Henry Bladon, a jewel maker, created the largest miniature group ever worn. There are 72 accurate miniatures on his patent hanger.

Before the Second World War the tradition of wearing all your jewels led to miniature versions becoming popular. Henry Bladon, a jewel maker, created the largest miniature group ever worn. There are 72 accurate miniatures on his patent hanger.

Before the Second World War the tradition of wearing all your jewels led to miniature versions becoming popular. Henry Bladon, a jewel maker, created the largest miniature group ever worn. There are 72 accurate miniatures on his patent hanger.

We can see George Kenning wearing his own miniatures in this picture. He would have made these himself too.

We can see George Kenning wearing his own miniatures in this picture. He would have made these himself too.

Sometimes the names of the lodge's Masters are engraved on silver plates to help wearers see their place in the succession.

Freemasons celebrate their lodge history is lots of ways, and jewels help express that history.

We can see the Master's collar jewel being worn by James Welling (1838–1915), a playwright, who produced a number of plays in the 1870s and 1880s for the Standard Theatre in London.

He also wears two patent hangers with Past Master lodge jewels.

This collar jewel is from a set made by Bro. John Richard Skipper for Royal Prince of Wales Lodge, No. 1555. While interned at Changi Prison, Singapore during World War II (1939-1945), he and his fellow freemasons formed a lodge.

You can see the jewel is made from scrap metal still bearing the army green paint.

Lodge of King Solomon's Temple at Jerusalem, No. 3464, used a piece of quarry stone from Jerusalem, inscribed with Hebrew words, in their jewel.

Lodge of King Solomon's Temple at Jerusalem, No. 3464, used a piece of quarry stone from Jerusalem, inscribed with Hebrew words, in their jewel.

This jewel for Granite Lodge, No. 2028, includes a piece of granite said to be from the ancient Egyptian obelisk called 'Cleopatra's Needle', found on London's Embankment.

This jewel for Granite Lodge, No. 2028, includes a piece of granite said to be from the ancient Egyptian obelisk called 'Cleopatra's Needle', found on London's Embankment.