‘Bling and things, Part II’

Masonic Week 2010: Cejalvo

Next to the display of Toye USA’s regalia and jewelry was Bro. John von Blauch representing his family business Cejalvo which, among other things, is the court jeweler of Spain’s royal family. There is no point in comparing and contrasting the two firms’ manufacturing prowess; both will make anything a client desires, and do so in ways that will induce irregular heartbeats. But Bro. John’s display was not only different from Toye USA’s, it was exotic for the one-of-a-kind pieces piled atop each other, with more being added every time John found something else in his pockets. Antiques, commemoratives, heirlooms, custom pieces, historical items, glorious golds, dazzling diamonds, seductive silvers – it was a crazy menagerie of familiar Masonic items alongside many delightfully improbable sights.

I will not attempt to identify most of the items you are about to see. Bro. John patiently described most of them, but it’s been a couple of weeks, and I forgot most of what he said.

Above: A variety of beautiful collars and sashes of different Masonic orders. The green of course belongs to the Allied Masonic Degrees. The two black sashes are Kadosh regalia of the Scottish Rite, and the white collar is for the 31° of the AASR.

Right: Thanks to its red lining, this Knight of Malta robe has a supernatural presence in the sunlight! (Purely coincidental, I think, that it seemingly hangs on a cross.)

Above: Rose Croix and 33° regalia.

Above left: This sublime heartbreaker in pewter tone is a commemorative medal issued by the United Grand Lodge of England to those brethren who served in the First World War. Right: There was a great story behind that gold Level. Damned if I can remember. (Two months of insomnia is driving me to madness.)

Above left: The Pentagrammaton.

Above right: A locket from 1901 issued by UGLE’s Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

The jewel in the center is an English Royal Arch piece. It was made about 30 years ago for a VIP, replete with real diamonds. At the bar Wednesday morning for our first round of drinks together, John passed this around. I would say it weighs about three ounces.

Above: A ring purportedly owned by Daniel Coxe.
Below: the sides of the ring.

For one of the higher ranks in the Royal Order of Eri
in the Allied Masonic Degrees.

When the Masonic apron is presented to the Apprentice, it is explained that the ritual garment is “more ancient than the Golden Fleece.” This is not a reference to Greek mythology. It is mention of an order of knighthood created in the 15th century by Philip III, Duke of Burgundy and the Netherlands.

It still exists, and this is what they wear:

Again, I have to apologize for the quality of some of these photos. Bro. John’s tables were shaded by curtains, so the sunlight/shadows were not as problematic as with the shots of Toye USA (see below). The foil this time is glass. John told me a dozen times to just lift the lids of the display cases, but I wasn’t comfortable futzing around with the goods. “You break it, you buy it” came to mind!

Bro. Michael Seay and Bro. John von Blauch.