Antique Masonic Shriners Shaving Mug & 1906 Los Angeles Convention Plate
Antique Masonic Shriners Shaving Mug & 1906 Los Angeles Convention Plate
Antique Masonic Shriners Shaving Mug & 1906 Los Angeles Convention Plate
This exceptional two-piece set offers a rare glimpse into the early 20th-century history of the Masonic Shriners (Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine). The collection features a beautifully preserved ceramic shaving mug and a commemorative relief-decorated glass plate, both adorned with the iconic "Syria" Temple iconography.
The shaving mug displays a classic transfer-decorated desert panorama featuring the Great Pyramids, palm trees, and travelers with camels. Above the scene sits the prominent Shriners emblem: a scimitar, crescent moon, and five-pointed star. The commemorative glass plate features hand-painted floral accents and gold-leaf lettering celebrating the May 1906 Los Angeles convention. Its center is dominated by a high-relief "Syria Pittsburgh" emblem, complete with a red-enameled centerpiece.
Dimensions
Shaving Mug: 3.75" Height x 3.5" Diameter.
Convention Plate: 6.25" Diameter.
Condition
Good Antique Condition. Both pieces show remarkably well for their age. The shaving mug exhibits fine age-appropriate crazing to the glaze and minor gilt wear to the rim, which adds to its authentic antique character. The glass plate remains vibrant with the hand-painted flowers and 1906 commemorative text clearly legible.
Production History
Produced: Circa 1900–1906.
Origin: Likely United States. While many shaving mugs were imported as blanks from Germany or France, the specific fraternal decoration and convention commemorative text were applied by American porcelain and glass decorating firms.
An essential acquisition for collectors of fraternal memorabilia or Masonic history, this matched set serves as a sophisticated testament to the brotherhood and heritage of the Syria Shriners at the turn of the century.
