Fine English silver verge watch of the Odd Fellows Society Circa 1841

Silver verge in pair cases
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An English silver pair cased verge pocket watch of the Odd Fellows Society, hallmarked London 1841. The full plate fusee movement with round pillars, a pierced and engraved round cock and polished steel regulator on the top plate below the plain three arm steel balance. White enamel dial with black Roman hours, outer minute divisions, a polychrome enamel scene in the center painted with two women and Odd Fellows’ symbols, the all seeing eye above and below the motto Amicita Amor et Veritas (Friendship, Love & Truth in English), the depiction surrounded by the words Independent Order of Odd Fellows Manchester Unity, gilt hands. A plain inner case, silver oval pendant and bow, maker’s mark JH in an oval, the outer case is plain too with a faded mark.
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Diameter: 57 mm
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Depth: 15 mm
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Signed: Wm Walker Shrewsbury
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The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), or Odd Fellows, is a worldwide organization with humanitarian purposes. The emergence of the Odd Fellows can be placed in the early 18th century. The exact origin of the Odd Fellowship is unknown, but with its Masonic elements, it connects with Freemasonry. Presumably, the first Odd Fellows were craftsmen not included in any guild in the 18th century because they travelled from one place to another. To support each other, they united in a fellowship. It was originally a brotherhood whose members helped each other in need. The members also tried to develop further an alliance of Friendship, Love and Truth. These three elements are symbolized in their logo. The core of their philosophy is that people should help each other to form a better society. Therefore, the formal assignment to its members is to visit the sick, comfort the bereaved, bury the dead and educate the orphans.
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The Eye of Providence or the All-Seeing Eye of God is a figure that depicts an eye, often enclosed in a triangle surrounded by rays of light or glory, meant to represent divine providence (God’s intervention in the Universe) whereby the eye of God watches over humanity. The Eye of Providence is a widely recognized symbol, giving it instrumentality in iconography (a branch of art history that studies the identification, description and interpretation of the content of images) and semiotics (the systematic study of sign processes and meaning-making). The triangle was a long-standing symbol of the Christian Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Still, it is also frequently connected with the Freemasons and the Illuminati (a secret group of elite individuals allegedly seeking to control global affairs). It also features the reverse of the American one-dollar bill and the Great Seal of the United States.