The Hall Stone Jewel

Installation into the Chair of King Solomon is a very special occasion in any Mason’s Masonic career and it is even more memorable when his Lodge has an intrinsic and commemorative link with Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London, the headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England. Built during the years of 1927–1932 as a memorial to the Freemasons who died in the First World War, it is one of the finest Art Deco buildings in England, and is now Grade II listed internally and externally.

One of the many outstanding features of the building is the huge stained glass window behind the shrine on the first floor vestibule. And the main feature in the central panel of the window is a magnificent image of the Hall Stone Jewel. This is the link that Bro. Martyn Jones, WM Brotherhood Lodge No. 3967, is so proud to display at all Lodge meetings, whether at his own or as a visitor. 

In 1919, after the First World War Grand Lodge decided, in response to a suggestion from the M.W. The Grand Master, H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, to embark on the building of a new headquarters for the English Craft as a memorial to the many brethren who had given their lives during the War. For this purpose a special committee was set up in 1920 and an appeal made to every member of the Constitution for contributions to the fund, which, from the target set, came to be known as the Masonic Million Memorial Fund. Contributions to this Fund were to be entirely voluntary and were to be recognised by special commemorative jewels. These were of three types for the three categories of subscribers, of the same basic design but of different sizes and precious metals (the sizes given below are the diameter of the encircling wreath). Examples of all three types are on display in the Grand Lodge Museum.

The smallest (35mm) of the jewels, called the Masonic Million Memorial Fund Commemorative Jewel, was a personal breast jewel suspended on a dark blue ribbon. 10 guineas or more purchased a silver one and 100 guineas or more purchased a gold one. A combined total of 53,244 such medals were issued to individuals.

Lodges contributing an average of ten guineas per member were awarded a medal (42mm) in gold on a light blue collarette. These are worn by successive Masters of such lodges and are known as Hall Stone Lodges (thus giving the jewel its name). 1,321 lodges at home and abroad qualified as Hall Stone Lodges. 88 of these were overseas lodges. The names and numbers of qualifying lodges are inscribed on commemorative marble panels in the main ceremonial entrance vestibule of Freemasons' Hall.

“The Hall Stone Jewel was conferred on Brotherhood Lodge No. 3967 by the most Worshipful Grand Master on the 3^rd June 1925” reports Bro. Jones. The design of the jewel is symbolic for the side squares are inscribed the dates 1914-1918: four years of supreme sacrifice. In The centre is a winged figure, supporting a Temple, representing Peace. The jewel is suspended by the square and compasses, two of the great though Emblematic Lights in Freemasonry and is attached to a ribbon that is worn around the neck of the Worshipful Master as part of his Masonic clothing. “The wearing of the Jewel by the Master of a Lodge fulfils a double purpose”, comments Bro. Jones. “First it provides visible evidence that our Lodge has faithfully and conscientiously discharged its obligations to the Fraternity. Secondly, it ever inspires every Brother to put service before self.”

The largest Hall Stone Jewel (48mm) is of 18 ct. gold and coloured enamels on a dark blue collarette. Only 3 were ever awarded. Two Districts, Japan (now defunct) and Burma, and one Province, Buckinghamshire, qualified by contributing an average of 500 guineas per lodge. In further recognition of their achievement, rooms 11, 12 & 17 in Freemasons’ Hall were named after them. They are the only lodge rooms in Freemasons' Hall distinguished in this way by a name. Successive Provincial and District Grand Masters of these qualifying Provinces or Districts wear the jewel.

For the jewel design it was decided to hold an open competition with a £75 prize for the winner, and at the Grand Lodge meeting in June 1921 it was announced that the design selected was that submitted by Cyril Saunders Spackman, R.B.A., R.M.S., Cyril Saunders Spackman was a man of many talents – architect, painter, sculptor, teacher, and writer. He was initiated into Panmure Lodge No. 720 on 21 January 1918 when 30 years old and the Hall Stone Jewel was exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 1922. It was described at the time in these terms:

"The jewel is in the form of a cross, symbolising Sacrifice, with a perfect square at the four ends, on the left and right, squares being the dates 1914-1918, the years in which the supreme sacrifice was made. Between these is a winged figure of Peace presenting the representation of a Temple with special Masonic allusion in the Pillars, Porch and Steps. The medal is suspended by the Square and Compasses, attached to a ribband, the whole thus symbolising the Craft's gift of a Temple in memory of those brethren who gave all for King and Country, Peace and Victory, Liberty and Brotherhood."

Building work on the Masonic Peace Memorial, as it was at first called - later to become known as Freemasons' Hall - commenced in 1927 and was completed in 1933 when the Hall was dedicated. At the June 1938 Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge the Special Committee presented its final report recording that the building had been handed over to the Board of General Purposes free from debt and that well over one million pounds had been subscribed to the Fund. The Fund itself was closed on the 31st December 1938.

Cyril Saunders Spackman was very proud that his jewel design was incorporated as the centrepiece of the huge stained glass window at Freemasons’ Hall. However, there is one interesting change in the jewel in the panel. When he designed it in 1921 this was prior to the architectural competition for the new building.

 
When the window was designed several years later, the façade was now known, so the winged figure of Peace, instead of holding a model of a classic temple – as in the jewel itself – is actually holding a model of the Tower façade for the building.

Look out for this little difference on your next visit to Freemasons’ Hall.