Masonic Manoeuvres and Suchlike - The Story Behind The Glass
Based on our original material written in April 2015
Imperial’s Star of David and Northwood’s Star of David and Bows
Star of David, purple, Imperial
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Star of David, green, Imperial
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Star of David & Bows, green, Northwood
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As can be seen from the pictures above, Imperial’s Star of David and Northwood’s Star of David and Bows share a common motif – the six-point star (or hexagram). Often thought of as mystical, and with a long and rich history of use in many cultures, it’s interesting to ponder what the story is behind its use on Carnival Glass.
The pattern names were chosen by Marion Hartung, and it seems likely she selected them as she perceived a religious aspect. But our feeling is that the use of the hexagram on these two Carnival patterns was actually pitched at the Masonic market. The six-point star was used both inside and outside Masonic Temples as a decoration.
The pattern names were chosen by Marion Hartung, and it seems likely she selected them as she perceived a religious aspect. But our feeling is that the use of the hexagram on these two Carnival patterns was actually pitched at the Masonic market. The six-point star was used both inside and outside Masonic Temples as a decoration.
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Northwood was actively seeking business from the Knights Templar and the Freemasons – and it's easy to see why. On the right is a photo of a massive Knights Templar Parade in Philadelphia in 1915 (published in the Illustrated Ledger newspaper). It was clearly big business for the glassmakers, as emphasised by this news item in the 1912 Crockery and Glass Journal: “Whenever any of the Masonic bodies have a gathering of importance in Pittsburgh the rule is to give the visitors souvenirs of glass in some form”. 
Crockery and Glass Journal, 1912
The "Wheeling firm" referred to is Northwood's factory, and they bagged an order for 5000 iridescent mugs for the Pittsburgh Knights Templar Conclave. We know these mugs today as the Knights Templar Mug. |
Knights Templar Parade, Philadelphia 1915. The Illustrated Ledger newspaper
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The enterprising Harry Northwood simply took one of his factory's existing patterns and shapes - actually a Dandelion mug - and made a new plunger for it with the Knights Templar details. The design is shown on the right, courtesy of Marion Hartung's Sixth Book of Carnival Glass, 1965 (now owned by the Heart of America Carnival Glass Association). The details were cut (in reverse) on the plunger so that they are moulded on the inside base of the mug, and can be seen the right way round only when looking (drinking!) from the inside. The design is a Maltese Cross. The inner circle inscription is: ALLEGHENY COMD KT PA (Allegheny Command, Knights Templar, Pennsylvania). |
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Dandelion Mug, ice green. Seeck Auctions
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It seems clear that Imperial were active in the same market - to produce a glass item that could be used as a souvenir for the Knights Templar and Freemasons.
Maybe even something that would appeal to the fairer sex for the Ladies Nights? Their vibrant, triple-doped, purple Star of David bowls surely had mass appeal. On the right is a picture of a Freemasons Ladies Night in Toronto in 1910. What a gathering! Imperial's Star of David bowls in spectacular purple, or a more unusual green (as shown at the top of this page) would not have been out of place on such an occasion. And then there is Northwood’s version - Star of David and Bows. This is particularly interesting because it uses a mould that Northwood acquired from Jefferson Glass, and has a distinctive dome foot and a Vintage exterior pattern. It is also an adaption of Northwood's earlier pattern in the Verre d'Or range called Ribbons and Overlapping Squares. However, that older pattern had an eight-point star, which Northwood adapted to a six-point star in his Star of David and Bows. |
Freemasons Ladies Night in Toronto in 1910 (Public Domain picture)
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Star of David & Bows, Northwood
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Northwood's Vintage exterior pattern
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Why the change?
Either because it was easier to draw, or maybe because he saw sales opportunities in an item that could appeal to the wider audience of Freemasons and the Knights Templar, as we saw with his Dandelion Mug / Knights Templar version.
Harry Northwood - master glassmaker, entrepreneur and businessman!
Either because it was easier to draw, or maybe because he saw sales opportunities in an item that could appeal to the wider audience of Freemasons and the Knights Templar, as we saw with his Dandelion Mug / Knights Templar version.
Harry Northwood - master glassmaker, entrepreneur and businessman!
Read more of The Stories Behind The Glass in Carnival Glass Times