拍品专文
The pug gained particular significance in Europe following the bill issued by Clement XII in 1738 forbidding Roman Catholics from belonging to Masonic orders. Many high born Catholics formed themselves into quasi-masonic lodges and took as their symbol the pug-dog. These Orders of Mopses (after the German for "pug") were pledged to secrecy, though not by an oath which would have conflicted with papal wishes, and unlike Freemasons, admitted women to their lodges. The carrying of a box such as the present example might have sufficed for the model pug which all initiates carried during lodge meetings and it would certainly have identified the owner to other members of the Order of Mopses.