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Join us each week for a large and diversified selection of the finest in Masonic antiques and collectibles as well as many other fascinating items. We are a business run by Masons. Our clientele includes Masonic Museums, Libraries and individual collectors the world over. Always having been passionately involved in the study and documentation of Masonic Arts and Historical Artifacts, it gives us pleasure to feature Masonic Collectibles among our various auctions and relish securing good homes for these most wonderful and beautiful cultural treasures of Freemasonry, thus helping to some degree to insure their survival and appreciation for generations to come.

THE MIDDLE AGES COME ALIVE IN THIS ANTIQUE TEMPLAR GEM!

PRESENTING A HISTORIC 19th CENTURY MASONIC KNIGHT TEMPLARS GOLD COMMANDING OFFICERS SWORD!

CIRCA 1880's!...STRAIGHT FROM THE HIGHEST RANKS IN TEMPLARDOM!

FEATURING THE CLASSIC PORTRAIT OF THE NOBLE MEDIEVAL KING!

EXQUISITE ARTISTRY IN EVERY SENSE!

WITH CLASSIC SCRIMSHAW STYLE DESIGNS!

GLOWING GOLD & MAGICAL ENAMEL!

A WONDERFUL ETCHED & ENGRAVED ROCOCO STYLE BLADE FEATURING HISTORIC SYMBOLISM……..MEDIEVAL WARROR-MONKS IN BATTLE!...BRAVE KNIGHTS!...PROUD KINGS...

THE ETERNAL SQUARE & COMPASS OF FREEMASONRY…

THE PHILOSOPHIC SKULL & CROSSBONES ALONGSIDE THE MOTTO: “MEMENTO MORI”…THAT BOLDLY REMINDS MANKIND OF ITS OWN MORTALITY!!!

A HANDSOME & MOST COLLECTIBLE SWORD IN VERY GOOD VINTAGE CONDITION!

EXPERTLY MADE BY "THE M. C. LILLEY & COMPANY”!

Below is a nostalgic antique picture showing the buildings of the M.C. Lilley & Company where this great Sword was created. This is how things looked back then. (This illustration is used only as a historic reference and does not come with the Sword.)

A VERY COLLECTIBLE MEMENTO FROM THE HISTORY OF YOEK RITE FREEMASONRY!

POWERFUL!...SPIRITUAL!....A GREAT HISTORY LIVES ON!

This is a very attractive genuine antique Gold-Plated Templar Commanding Officers Sword. The Grip is decorated on front and back with fine Scrimshaw style engravings! An art form based on the great traditions of the beloved maritime Folk Art known as “Scrimshaw”. And the workmanship here is absolutely splendid. All rendered by the hand of a Master Craftsperson. This impressive Sword dates back to circa the 1880's. Being a genuine antique of over 100 years of age, there is some minor wear, but is not serious at all. There are some ever so slight scratches on the bottom part of the scabbard surface. The Blade, although quite beautiful has a few very tiny nicks, but one hardly sees them. This is a very good Sword. Not mint, but certainly handsome as well as historic. This fabulous Sword was made by “The M. C. Lilley & Co”, one of the all time greatest Sword making firms alongside the “Ames Sword Company”, “The Pettibone Bros” and “William Horstmann of Philadelphia”. All reigning giants in the field of Masonic, Fraternal and Military Swords! It should be noted that Gold was used exclusively for Swords belonging to Templar Officers. So this piece comes straight from the highest ranks in Templardom.The top Mount is a representation of Emperor Constantine experiencing his prophetic vision. The Middle Mount features the initials "KT" for Knights Templar. The Drag is equally decorative. The Medieval Knights Head pommel is a sculpture in miniature. The center of the Hand-Guard features the enigmatic "KING" design. The makers mark appears on the blade as does the name of the original owner. Everything here is original to the Sword, including the leather washer. A Great Historic Masonic Sword! In its Scabbard, the full measurement is around 36 inches. Alone, the Sword is approximately 35 ½ inches with the Blade being 28 inches. A Fascinating Historical Masonic Memento. Beautiful! Do not let it pass you by. We regularly feature extremely attractive and also very rare, top quality antiques including among the finest in Fraternal and Masonic Swords and Historic Relics as well as many other fascinating items. Among our clients are Museums and Archives as well as many collectors the world over. Please keep checking our Classicliterati auctions. We try to describe items to the best of our ability. Please ask questions before bidding. Buyer pays $25.00 S/H plus insurance. Payment is expected within 10 days of auction close. International bidders should first ask about exact shipping costs. Payment in $USA funds only. Sorry, no foreign checks or money orders. Thank You.

WHO IS THE MYSTERIOUS MUSTACHIOED MAN ON THE SWORD GUARD?

The Cross-guard features a Classic Profile Portrait that has stumped connoisseurs of Masonic swords for many years. As most period records pertaining to the creation of these designs probably no longer in exist, one can only speculate, based on personal research. Although we can not be certain, to us, the most logical candidate is King Richard the "Lion Heart". It seems that the artist patterned his design after numerous artistically liberal interpretations of Richard who figured prominently in the Crusades and fought valiantly against the armies of Saladin (a scene routinely etched on Templar sword blades). His name has been commemorated by numerous Masonic Templar Commanderies and Priories. Please observe the picture (below) of the mysterious crowned man wearing a chainmail suit as he appears on the sword and compare it with the early posthumous portrait of King Richard placed beside it. To demonstrate the influence of that particular early King Richard rendering, we show two reproductions of old book cover illustrations which obviously also derived from this same image. A careful reading of the accompanying materials which include related historic illustrations of King Richard, Templar Badges, etc, should provide one with ample background for conducting further research into another very intriguing topic.

OURS IS A BUSINESS WHICH IS RUN BY MASONS. Our clients include Masonic Museums and libraries as well as private collectors the world over. Having always been passionately involved in the study and active documentation of Masonic Arts and Historical Artifacts, it gives us an extra special pleasure to also feature Masonic Collectibles among our various auctions. We relish securing good homes for these most wonderful and beautiful cultural treasures of Freemasonry, thus helping to some degree to insure their survival and appreciation for generations to come.

A VERY IMPRESSIVE & COLLECTIBLE ANTIQUE SWORD!!!

KING RICHARD THE "LIONHEART" AND HISTORICAL ALLEGORIES ILLUSTRATING KNIGHT TEMPLAR SWORDS

Below are examples of the impact of King Richard on contemporary Templarism. note the three old "KT" badges from different "RICHARD THE LIONHEART (Coeur de Lion) Commanderies" pictured below. (these photos are used solely as historical illustrations and do not come with the sword. This auction is for the sword & scabbard alone.)

Below are images from different Templar swords. Templar sword blades, in connecting to ancient Templar history, depict episodes that are from Crusader history, thus they probably also depict some activities of King Richard. The battle scenes found on blades derive from ancient illustrations of King Richard in battle against Saladin. Likewise, the grand edifice seen in the distance, often referred to as being the Holy Temple in Jerusalem symbolizes the last fortress of the Templars and the Knights of St. John in Acre.

Please note that the pictures directly above are used only as historical illustrations and do not come with this sword.

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