Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

Orange Order, George III silver and gilt metal badge,

by James Brush, circa 1798,

circular form, with an armoured equestrian figure of William III above a plinth numbered '474', and engraved 'J.A.S. Brush, Junr. Dubn. Fecit ', within a ribbon tied laurel wreath, with a ring attachment, diameter 6.8cm.

James Brush, of no. 7 St. Andrew's Street, silversmith and medallist. Silver pierced and engraved jewels were often worn by Irish Freemasons during the latter half of the eighteenth century and James Brush was quick to recognize a niche market, providing not only jewels worn by members but also Officers jewels and also Past Masters jewels, the latter being presented to the outgoing Master of each Lodge. In his elaborate trade card of 1802, Brush refers to himself and his son as "Masonic Jewellers to the Grand Lodge of Ireland", also advertising "Jewellery Work in the most Correct and Elegant Stile and Medals for Farming and other Societies done with Taste". Brush was himself a member and in 1792, was involved in founding a "Society for the "Schooling of the Orphan Female Children of Distressed Masons", which led to the foundation of the Masonic Female Orphan School", an institution to which he was to become Treasurer. James Brush was also listed as a seal engraver and as a Madeira wine merchant.