What-is-it-Question CLXXIV

[dognose]

I came across this question that appeared in a copy of 'The Strand' magazine in 1903.



I have no idea of the answer, but wondered if anyone on the forum could cast any light on this curious pendant.

Trev.

[JLDoggett]

It appears to be an "All-Seeing Eye" a symbol used in many masonic decorations and the US one dollar bill. Its exact use as a pendant is that it may have come off a member's jewel and once seperated it would be hard to identify its origional purpose.

[dognose]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for that, it does seem likely as it's the left eye coupled with the rays. The fact that the eye is contained within a hinged compartment has me stumped, presumably, catering for the removal of the eye at certain times.

And those letters? (P.R.P.E.R.Y.A.R.S.)

Regards Trev.

[JLDoggett]

The actual eye, may have had to have been inserted from the back as part of the manufacturing process. Typically a minature glass eye would be used in a piece like this. There might have also been a thin inscription plate inside the "locket" section. The lettering is a cypher for a line spoken during one of the rituals. All of the ritual language is available online if someone wants to go through and find the line with those letters representing the first letters of each word in a sentence. I believe this piece would have been suspended in the opening made by a a compass and an angle. Remember often these masonic jewels are the size of an average man's hand. From memory I also seem to recall this emblem being used as part of a Warden's jewel, but my memory is not what it used to be.

[dognose]

Perhaps adapted from a jewel such as the example at the base of this image.



Trev.

[R ingo]

Hello,
I think, it could be a Turkish eye or Nazar. I just found in the internet a very similar piece.

"A nazar or evil eye stone (Turkish: nazar boncuÄŸu) is an amulet that is meant to protect against the evil eye. It is most common in Turkey, Armenia, Iran and Greece. In Turkey it is ubiquitous in offices and homes, in jewellery, including for babies, on vehicles, doors, horses and even cell phones" (Wikipedia).

Kind regards,
Ringo