Masonic Firing Glass Value Guide

This German-made Masonic Firing Glass, or 'Kanone,' is a specialized ritual vessel crafted from heavy lead crystal between 1890 and 1920. Its distinctive weighted base was engineered to withstand the impact of being slammed onto a table in a synchronized 'fire' during lodge banquets.

What Is Masonic Firing Glass Worth?

The typical price range for Masonic Firing Glass is $140 - $155 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the rim and base, as these glasses were frequently subjected to heavy impact.
• The intricacy and preservation of the etched Masonic symbols and decorative faceting.
• The provenance linking the glass to specific Germanic lodges or historical ritualistic use.
• Current market demand for specialized fraternal glassware within the $140 to $155 price range.

How to Identify Masonic Firing Glass?

• Examine the base for an exceptionally thick, reinforced 'cannon' style foot designed for rhythmic striking.
• Verify the presence of authentic period-correct etched iconography, specifically the square and compass symbols.
• Check for the clarity and weight characteristic of late 19th-century German lead crystal production.
• Look for hand-faceted sides that taper toward the heavy base, typical of the 1890-1920 era.

History of Masonic Firing Glass

Firing glasses, also known as Kanonen or cannons in Germanic lodges, are designed with exceptionally thick bases. During Masonic banquets, members would strike the table in unison after a toast, creating a sound resembling a gunshot. This specific example features the classic etched iconography including the square and compass.