Object Record
Images
Additional Images [6]
Metadata
Accession number |
1993.204 |
Object Identification Number |
1993.204.002a |
Object Name |
Sword |
Donor |
Mørk, Ib Johan Mercebach |
Description |
Decorative sword with a long silver blade and a silver and ivory colored hilt. The hilt has a silver metal pommel, the outer end piece of the grip. It is in the shape of a helmet from a suit of armor. On the front is a small metal loop, likely to attach to the belt that goes with this set. The grip is ivory colored, plastic perhaps, and smooth. It is slightly thicker at the center and narrower at each end. On one side is a cross and on the other the initials "MEM", those of the owner. There is a crown above the initials, a bow below, and leaves/greenery extending up and around the initials, beginning at the bow. The guard/cross is silver metal. At the center is a sort of squared portion with a raised image of an eagle (or similar large bird). Extending out from the square center portion are two sections that are narrow where they connect to the square and widen as they extend outward. Each ends in a three-pointed design. There is a triangle of raised stars inside each large end. Design is the same on both sides of the guard. At the outer tip of one triangular area is a metal loop, likely to attach to the belt that goes with this set. On both sides of the blade are engraved leaves, symbols, and other patterns, likely all representative of the Masonics. On the side with the cross on the grip is "Max E. Mørk". On the other side is the maker's mark at the lower end of the blade, just up from the hilt, "THE / M.C. LILLEY / & CO. / COLUMBUS / OHIO" and at the center of the blade "holy sepulchre Commandery, K.", a symbol that looks like a fancy T with a C over top, and then "No. 8". See also .003 for the belt that goes with this sword, scabbard, and bag. |
Dimensions |
W-5.125 L-34.75 inches |
Made By |
M.C. Lilley & Company |
Creation Date |
post WWII |
Place Of Origin |
USA/OH/Columbus |
Owned By |
Mørk, Max |
Used By |
Mørk, Max |
Material |
metal/plastic |
Associated People |
Mørk, Max |
Search Terms |
Mørk, Max Masonic Lodge Shriner M.C. Lilley & Company Columbus, Ohio Brooklyn Council No. 4 De Witt Clinton Commandery No. 14 Kismit Temple sword |
Given In Memory Of |
In Memory of Max Ejner Mørk |
Provenance |
All items in this gift lot belonged to Max Ejner Mørk. After WWII, he became a very active Mason eventually rising to 32nd degree Mason. He was a member of Brooklyn Council No. 4 (York Rite), De Witt Clinton Commandery (York Rite, Knights Templar) No. 14, and Kismit Temple (Shriner), all in Brooklyn, NY. From 1951-52, he was Master of his Lodge. One must rise through Masonic ranks in order to become a Shriner. These are 1) Chapter, 2) Council, and 3) Commandry. Members receive "degrees" for participation. A "32nd degree" is the highest. Masons come to Shriners through two "rites": The Scottish Rite such as the one in Atlantic, Iowa, or the York Rite. Of the lodges Max Mørk was part of, the Kismit Temple would be the Shrine. -------------------------------------------- Family History: Max Ejner Mørk was the donor's uncle. Max was an older brother of the donor's mother, Dagny Mørk. Max immigrated to the United States in 1930. He first worked as a steward at the Gravesend Bay Yacht Club in Brooklyn, New York, before becoming a housepainter. He also worked for the Maimonides Hospital (now the Maimonides Medical Center) in Brooklyn. In 1942, Max went to Argentia, Newfoundland to help build a U.S. military base. He worked the remainder of WWII at a defense plant in the Bush Terminal of Brooklyn. After WWII, Max resumed housepainting. When Max chose to immigrate in 1930, his marriage to his wife Emma in Denmark ended in divorce. Max and Emma had one son, Erik Mørk, who became a classical and character actor in Denmark. Max was married a second time, but had no other children. Max died in 1955 of a brain tumor. His son, Erik, also died of a brain tumor in 1993. _____________ Manufacturer information from www.columbusmemory.org (as of 12/20/2013): Founded in the mid-1860s, the M. C. Lilley Company was world renowned as manufacturers of regalia. Regalia is defined as magnificent attire, finery." Besides ceremonial swords, the Lilley Company produced banners, flags, emblems, and uniforms for fraternal societies and organizations such as the Mason Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and policemen. Lilley also supplied the U. S. Marine Corps and the cadets of West Point and Annapolis with swords. During World War II, the company made thousands of machetes for Dutch troops. Their goods were shipped all over the United States, Canada, and even Australia. The company was founded by four leading citizens of Columbus, Ohio all veterans of the Civil War. They were Mitchell Campbell Lilley, John Siebert and brothers Charles and Henry Lindenberg. All four men were members of the Odd Fellows and published the "Odd Fellows Companion", a publication of the fraternal organization. Through their newsletter, they received many requests from people wanting to purchase regalia. They decided to produce the items themselves and thus a company was born. The company first occupied a small building at 253 S. High Street, but grew into four large buildings at the corner of E. Long and N. 6th streets. When the Depression hit in 1933, the company was bought out by Hendersen-Ames of Kalamazoo, Michigan and the name was changed to Lilley-Ames. It officially went out of business in 1965. |
Images |
208\1993204002a.JPG |
Date Received by Museum |
1993 |