Item number: M353

Year: AD 1919

Material: Copper

Size: 45.1 x 40.0 x 2.4 mm

Weight: 27.9 g

Provenance: Jongeling Numismatics & Ancient Art 2024

This is an octagonal bronze membership badge issued in AD 1919 by the Bagdad Lodge, a Masonic organisation with the lodge number 4022.

The obverse of the badge features a Lamassu, a mythical creature with a human head and a lion’s body, inspired by the ancient Assyrian and Babylonian civilisations of Mesopotamia. Above the Lamassu to the right is a sun with the number “17” inscribed at its centre. Below the Lamassu, the English inscription “BABYLONIA” is prominently displayed, referring to the ancient southern region of Mesopotamia located in present-day Iraq.

The reverse of the badge showcases a pentagonal shield at its centre, flanked above and below by decorative scrolls, and bordered on the left and right by symmetrical strings of bead motifs. The lodge number, “4022”, is engraved along the edge of the badge.

Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that evolved from the medieval guilds of stonemasons in Europe, with its members and lodges now spanning across the globe. The modern form of Freemasonry emerged in AD 1717 in England, marked by the establishment of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE). This was followed by the formation of other major grand lodges, including the Grand Lodge of Ireland and the Grand Lodge of Scotland, which together constitute the foundational origins of contemporary Freemasonry.

According to Masonic regulations, a minimum of seven members is required to establish a lodge. The lodge in Iraq operated as a subordinate unit under the authority of the United Grand Lodge of England.

The establishment of the Freemason lodge in Iraq was closely tied to the historical context of British influence in Iraq following World War I. The lodge’s membership was diverse, comprising not only European expatriates but also individuals from various local communities, including Muslims, Christians, Jews, Armenians, and Indians, reflecting a wide range of religious and cultural backgrounds.

In AD 1958, the monarchy in Iraq was overthrown by military strongman Abdul Karim Qasim, leading to the establishment of a republic. The new regime banned Masonic activities in Iraq as part of its broader crackdown on organisations linked to foreign influence or perceived elitism. Eventually, in AD 1965, the internal leadership of Freemasonry officially decided to dissolve the Iraq lodge, marking the end of its presence in the country.

物件編號: M353

年代: 公元 1919 年

材質: 銅

尺寸: 27.9 g

重量: 45.1 x 40.0 x 2.4 mm

來源: 瓊林錢幣學與古代藝術 2024

這是一枚公元1919年創立，共濟會編制內的「巴格達分會」，組織編號為4022號，所發行的銅質八邊形會員章。

獎章正面有模仿兩河流域知名的古代文明，即亞述和巴比倫文化的獅身人面像「拉瑪蘇」浮雕，拉瑪蘇右上方有一顆太陽，太陽中間標示數字「17」。拉瑪蘇腳底下是英文銘文「BABYLONIA」(巴比倫尼亞)，巴比倫尼亞為伊拉克境內的兩河流域南部地區古稱。獎章背面的中央為一個五邊型盾牌，盾牌的上下兩側為卷軸環繞，左右兩側為對稱的珠點串。獎章側邊則打印分會編號「4022」。

共濟會是一個從中世紀歐洲石匠公會演變而來的兄弟會，其組織和會員遍布於世界各地。公元1717年，現代的共濟會組織出現於英格蘭，相繼以「英國共濟聯合總會」、「愛爾蘭總會」和「蘇格蘭總會」三個總會為起源。根據共濟會的規章，至少要七名會員才有成立「分會」資格，伊拉克分會為英國共濟聯合總會的子單位。

伊拉克分會的成立和第一次世界大戰後，英國勢力進入伊拉克的時空背景密切相關，成員不僅有歐洲白人，尚有在地的穆斯林、基督徒、猶太人、雅美尼亞人和印度人等不同宗教和文化背景的成員。公元1958年，隨著伊拉克王室遭到軍事強人阿卜杜勒-卡里姆·卡塞姆推翻，新成立的共和國政權查禁共濟會在伊拉克的活動。最終於公元1965年，組織內部做出裁撤伊拉克分會的決案。