Brothers and benefactors

At the bequest of brothers

Curator Mark Dennis tells us some of the fascinating stories behind objects that are often kindly donated to the Museum of Freemasonry by Freemasons and their families for future posterity

Clockwise: Past Master’s jewel, Old Masonians’ Lodge; Meharban Singh Jutlla with Mark Dennis; Goss bust of Edward VII; St Olave’s Lodge founder’s jewel, Museum of Freemasonry 2022

The Museum of Freemasonry obtains the objects that it displays from many different sources, but the generosity and thoughtfulness of members and their families is a major factor. This can even extend to the Royal family, as we have items presented by King George V in memory of his father King Edward VII and by HM the Queen Mother in memory of her husband King George VI. Over the past few months, three stories have provided good examples of how this thoughtfulness can bring things to us or let them pass to new owners.

In 2013, Trevor Wellings loaned us a rare Goss factory ceramic bust of King Edward VII as Grand Master for the enjoyment of our many visitors. Trevor was well known in his Province and a member of 26 Lodges in Warwickshire and Worcestershire. He also founded the ‘Freemasons Afloat’ initiative – charitable events for Freemasons and their families on board cruise ships. Unknown to most, he also had a passionate hobby as the country’s leading collector of Goss porcelain. Most Goss items were produced as souvenirs, including for Lodges, and Trevor generously helped us in cataloguing and understanding the pieces in our collection. Late last year, knowing that he was unwell, he offered to leave the King Edward VII bust to the Museum. It has been on display since it first came to us and is currently in our North Gallery. We were therefore honoured but saddened to receive it as a permanent part of our collections when he died in February.

Last year, Parmjit Singh – a member of St Olave’s Lodge No. 2764 – spotted one of their founder’s jewels in a car boot sale. He rescued it and, after finding that the Museum didn’t already have one, asked another member of the Lodge, Meharban Singh Jutlla, to have it presented to us. It is now safely in the collection. It was owned by the founding organist, who clearly treasured it as it is still in its original silk-lined box from Spencer & Co. of Great Queen Street. The Lodge first met in Tooley Street in South London, and was made up of a number of ex pupils of St Olave’s School.

There is a little mystery associated with the St Olave’s Lodge jewel. Records show that the Lodge did not appear to have a founding organist. Instead, music at the consecration was performed by the Provincial Grand Organist of Middlesex, Herbert Schartau, who was a professional songwriter. Could the jewel have been presented to him?

As generous as people may want to be, the Museum cannot take everything offered to it and a collections committee makes the final decision based on the item’s relevance and condition. For example, a member of the public offered the Museum his father’s Past Master’s jewel of Old Masonians’ Lodge from 1936 for preservation. It was a duplicate of one in our collections and so, with his agreement, we approached the Secretary of the Lodge, who was delighted to accept it in memory of the man concerned.

It was a timely reminder that what these historical items really represent is the men who owned and cared for them. Keeping their stories alive is one of the most important things that we do in the Museum.