A pair of fraternal jewels or fobs associated with the Royal Ark Mariners (RAM), an appendant degree of Freemasonry, attributed to the Province of Durham. These items are constructed from gilt metal with vitreous enamel decoration, likely dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. The first jewel is of oval form with a textured gold-tone border featuring the raised letters R A M and D U R, accompanied by a laurel wreath. It has a central field of blue guilloche enamel with an applied relief motif of a spirit level. The second jewel features a red enamel border styled as a buckled garter, containing the raised letters R A M DURHAM. Its central field is of dark blue or purple enamel with applied relief motifs of a spirit level, a felling axe, and a pickaxe, which are traditional symbols representing the tools used in the construction of Noahs Ark. The spirit level motif suggests an association with the office of Junior Grand Warden. This jewel is finished with a decorative acanthus leaf finial. Both pieces retain their original suspension loops.
Width: Approximately 50mm.
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