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Masonic Pitcher, "Benjamin Emmons / Corn"
1800-1819
Wood and Caldwell (1790-1818)
England: Burslem
Pearlware printed in black and painted in enamels
overall: 13-3/4"h x 14"w (spout to handle) x 9-1/2"d
Loaned by the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts
GL2004.1576

Transfer-printed large Masonic earthenware pitcher; printed image on one side shows seated Master Mason holding shield with compasses and three towers; surrounding man are standard Masonic symbols: J & B columns, checkered floor, three candlestands, pyramid, sun, moon, trowel, open Bible overlaid with square and compasses, etc.; painted on neck is red guilloche pattern design on black background with yellow borders at top and bottom; spout is painted red with black plant sprigs; black band around handle, rim, spout, and base; beneath handle is painted "Corn / Benjamin Emmons, / Born in Boston. / May the 10th / 1762"; on other side is large painted image of a man assembling a barrel with a woman standing beside with a mug; surrounding are various tools and three trees; scene is on a floating island of earth with roots sticking out from the bottom; on bottom of pitcher is printed image of factory with "The South view of the Earthenware / Manufactory of Wood and / Caldwell Burslem"; printed on bottom of pitcher on inside is image of factory; sticker inside reads: "94."


Benjamin Emmons (b. 1762) ordered this pitcher, made in England in the early 1800s, probably as a gift to Maine's Solar Lodge No. 14. Trained as a cooper in Boston, Emmons later moved his family to Maine, where he opened a shipyard. He became a member of Solar Lodge in 1805. Marked "Corn," a Masonic symbol for prosperity, this pitcher may have been used on ceremonial occasions at the Lodge. For further information, see Newell, Aimee, et.al., "Curiosities of the Craft: Treasures from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Collection", 2013, p. 135-137.



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