25TH TRIENNIAL CONCLAVE AT DENVER, CO. 1892. An engraved American silver ingot, presumably Denver, dated 1892

slightly rounded rectangular, the top engraved "Presented to St. Bernard Commandery No. 35 Chicago, For Efficiency in Exhibition Drill, Denver, August 10th, 1892."  the front engraved with a view of the Mountain of the Holy Cross, one end with the badge of the Knights Templar, the other engraved "Chamber of Commerce Committee: W.R. Harp - Edward Eddy / E. Monash - Geo. W. Cook / S.M. Allen - Chas. D. Cobb / W.W. Anderson."

tiny nicks around upper edges, bubbles from casting at base, otherwise good and engraving crisp
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The conclave of 1892 met August 9th in Denver, Colorado, with 38 Commanderies present.  It was distinguished by a speech by Grand Master-Elect Hugh McCurdy when he asked, "in whatever cause Knight Templarism had its origin, its only reason for existence to-day is its power to help men.  Men are not asking to-day how far back into the past does your history extend, but how-far raching is your present every-day life?  What of your own are you adding to the age in which you live?"

In this spirit, this engraved ingot seems to have been given for participation, rather than competition.  The Mount of the Holy Cross, so in keeping with Templar iconography, is part of the Sawatch range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, and got its name from a cross-shaped snowfield on its northeast face.  The weight of the ingot was given as 500 ounces in contemporary press accounts, but is in fact 470 1/2 ounces, an important number in Masonic tradition; the Temple of Solomon stood for 470 years, 6 months before its destruction.

A similar engraved ingot of 1881 was recently on the market, the engraving signed by Paul Lyon with Dan G. Golding, Leadville, Colo.  However, that engraved mountain scene is crude compared to the offered lot, suggesting the Knights Templar turned to more sophisticated engravers in Denver for their Convocation pieces.