20th Century Heraldic Plaques in Ceramic on Wood by Antonella Salemi for Freemasonry Scottish Rite, 1970s, Set of 4

Details

Description

Measurements (including stand):
height: 26 cm; width: 21 cm; depth: 4 cm;
weight: approximately 0.935 kg each; total set weight: … Read more Measurements (including stand):
height: 26 cm; width: 21 cm; depth: 4 cm;
weight: approximately 0.935 kg each; total set weight: 3.746 kg

item :
an extraordinary and exclusive set of four ceramic wall plaques with a wooden stand featuring a masonic theme. These exceptionally rare and of profound historical and symbolic value were made in italy during the second half of the 20th century (circa 1970s-1980s). Each piece consists of a heavy ceramic plaque shaped like a heraldic shield with a molded edge highlighted in pure gold, secured with corner metal hooks to a solid, shaped walnut support. The decorative cycle, executed entirely freehand using a glossy polychrome enamel and gold technique, sequentially illustrates the four administrative and senior degrees of the ancient and accepted scottish rite (aasr). The 30th degree (grand elect knight kadosh) features a double-headed eagle with outstretched wings clutching a dagger, superimposed over the red calatrava cross. The 31st degree (grand inspector inquisitor commander) depicts the scales of equal justice superimposed over the teutonic cross. The 32nd degree (sublime prince of the royal secret) features the large gold teutonic cross outlined in black with a central red circular core. Finally, the 33rd and final degree (sovereign grand inspector general) displays the majestic double-headed eagle surmounted by the royal crown, bearing on its breast the golden masonic triangle with the number of the degree and a horizontal sword in its talons. The pictorial apparatus is masterful: the eagles' plumage is finished with a fine black pen hatching, and the backgrounds of the plaques emulate a precious gray-veined marbled texture under glaze. Each plaque is signed in full in italics in the lower corner by ceramist and artistic decorator "antonella salemi," a clear, cultured, and highly fluent signature that attests to the creation of the set as a special, personalized commission for a high lodge or dignitary of the order. In the world of esoteric furnishings and masonic vestments (particularly for the high degrees of the ancient and accepted scottish rite), lodges or individual dignitaries almost never turned to "commercial" or gallery artists. They preferred to commission the works from art workshops or individual master decorators they trusted, capable of rigorously respecting the geometry and secrets of the rite's iconography. They then signed the piece in full, testifying to the hand-crafted workmanship, as is done with our four plaques.

information on the artist and/or manufacturer:
the iconography of the ancient and accepted scottish rite (aasr), codified in the early 19th century, has its roots in medieval knightly and templar myths, structuring its degrees from 1st to 33rd through a complex philosophical progression. In the second half of the 20th century in italy, the tradition of commissioning ritual furnishings and commemorative plaques from independent ceramic art workshops enjoyed a period of great fervor. Painters and decorators with refined academic training, such as antonella salemi, were hired by the workshops or directly by lodge members to translate the complex geometry of esoteric symbols onto majolica, exploiting the eternal brilliance of high-fired glazes to preserve the secrets of the ritual. The privately commissioned works were produced as one-of-a-kind pieces or in extremely limited editions, destined exclusively for the temples or personal studies of the sovereign grand inspectors general. Today, this type of ceramic heraldic artifact is considered the most sought-after by collectors in the sector, as it combines the historical rigor of official masonic symbolism with the excellence of italian artistic atelier craftsmanship. This piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
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