Masonic Golden Orb Charm - Unfolding Cross Pendant

Masonic Puzzle Ball Pendant (England, 19th Century)
High-carat yellow gold

A rare English Masonic puzzle ball pendant is crafted in 14K yellow gold and ingeniously constructed as a spherical form that opens to reveal a cross-shaped interior. Each arm of the cross is engraved with Masonic emblems and symbolic motifs associated with moral instruction, fraternity, and esoteric knowledge.

When closed, the pendant appears as a smooth, articulated orb; when opened, the hidden cross unfolds, demonstrating the remarkable precision and craftsmanship required to engineer such a concealed mechanism. This “ball-to-cross” construction places the piece within a tradition of symbolic jewelry intended for private contemplation rather than overt display—its meaning known fully only to the wearer.

The pendant bears the maker’s mark JH and is stamped “Made in England,” consistent with late Victorian to Edwardian-period Masonic jewelry produced for personal devotion or lodge affiliation. Puzzle and mechanical jewels of this type were costly to produce and were often commissioned by high-ranking or deeply committed members of Freemasonry.

At once talismanic and architectural, the pendant speaks to a worldview in which moral ideals were encoded into precious objects—meant to endure, to be opened, and to be understood across generations. An exceptional antique English Masonic puzzle ball pendant ingeniously designed to open from a spherical form into a concealed cross engraved with Masonic symbols. This rare piece embodies secrecy, devotion, and masterful craftsmanship. A powerful symbolic jewel intended for private meaning rather than public display.

Purchased at auction London, UK