From Crest to Ceremony: A Coordinated Masonic Presentation

From Crest to Ceremony: A Coordinated Masonic Presentation

Some commissions ask for more than engraving skill alone. They ask for judgement, restraint, and a willingness to slow the process down until it feels right.

This commission involved two distinct presentation pieces, both commissioned by the current Worshipful Master and prepared to be presented at the same lodge meeting, each recognising long and dedicated service in different offices.

The first was a personalised engraved apothecary decanter with accompanying gin glasses, created for the Lodge Secretary, who had served continuously from 2014 to 2026. The second was a formal jade glass presentation award, intended for the Director of Ceremonies, marking three years of service in that role.

Although separate in purpose, the pieces needed to sit comfortably together in tone, quality, and execution.

The Secretary’s Presentation: Decanter and Glassware

For the Secretary’s gift, the brief centred on permanence and daily use. An engraved apothecary decanter was chosen, paired with two gin glasses engraved with the Square and Compasses, creating a set that felt both personal and enduring.

The lodge crest was redrawn specifically for glass engraving, with fine lines adjusted for depth, contrast, and longevity. The aim was not to embellish the crest, but to respect it, ensuring it would engrave cleanly and remain legible under changing light.

Because the lodge artwork was already held on file, no additional artwork fee was applied, and the refinement process remained within the agreed rounds.

The Director of Ceremonies’ Award: When the Shape Dictates the Design

For the Director of Ceremonies, the lodge requested a formal presentation piece. An inspirational image of a traditional rectangular plaque was supplied, which clearly indicated the style and intent required.

However, sourcing a similar plaque within the timeframe risked compromise, so instead we proposed a sculpted jade glass award, a format well suited to ceremonial recognition and capable of carrying detailed engraving with clarity.

Unlike rectangular plaques, this style introduces a quiet complexity: the engraving area is asymmetrical, with a sweeping bevel that changes width across the surface.

On pieces like this, visual centring cannot be assumed.

To ensure balance, the award shape was mapped line by line. This was one of those layouts that only reveals itself once you stop trying to rush it. Horizontal guides were drawn across the full height of the glass. Each line was measured manually from the vertical centre to the inside edge of the bevel, then transferred back into Illustrator so the engraving layout followed the true geometry of the piece rather than an imagined rectangle.

Only once the usable engraving field had been fully understood did the typography, crest, and symbolic elements come together.

It is slow work, but it is the only way to ensure that when the award is viewed from the front, everything sits calmly and with intent.

A Considered Finish for Presentation

Given the amount of text, symbolism, and the importance of the occasion, the largest size award was selected. This allowed the lodge crest, dedication, and Masonic symbols to breathe without crowding or loss of clarity.

The finished award was supplied in a black satin-lined presentation box, appropriate for formal lodge proceedings and long-term keeping.

Why This Matters

Masonic presentation pieces carry weight beyond the object itself. They are read aloud. They are held up. They are remembered.

That is why balance, spacing, and proportion matter just as much as the engraving.

By treating each piece individually while maintaining a shared visual language, the final presentations felt intentional, measured, and fitting for the offices they recognised.

Every bespoke commission begins with a conversation. It is the quiet decisions, the measuring, the redrawing, and the refusal to rush that ultimately shape the piece.