Early American Masonic Memento Mori Damascus Dagger, ca. 1820-1840. Masonic ceremonial dagger finely mounted with a carved mother of pearl grip and retaining its original red leather scabbard. The double-edged blade is forged in patterned Damascus steel, with gilt ricasso panels engraved on one side "MEMENTO MORI" above a skull and crossbones, and on the reverse with the winged hourglass and Scythe of Time - emblems of mortality associated with the American Master Mason tradition. The distinctive symbolism closely follows imagery established in early American Masonic iconography of the Webb-Cross period. Overall length: 10 1/4 in. Blade: 5 1/8 in.