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Masonic Master Mason Apron
1800-1825
Maker not marked; Batty Langley (1696-1751), designer
USA: Massachusetts (probably)
Paint on leather
overall: 12"h x 14-1/4"w
Museum Purchase
2000.004

Masonic Master Mason leather apron with rounded body and rounded flap; Blue Lodge. Hand-painted on front; three-step platform with three columns, on top of left column is blazing sun; center of middle column is clock with hand at "12" with crescent moon on top; right column has bust of man on top. Painted blue border. Twill tape ties. Illegible inscription under flap.


The frontispiece from Batty Langley’s guide for carpenters, "The Builder’s Jewel" provided the inspiration for the distinctive painted design on this apron. Many apron decorators found models for their work in printed certificates, book illustrations and other aprons. British publishers issued many editions of The Builder’s Jewel; a Massachusetts printer even released one in 1800. For further information, see Newell, Aimee E., "The Badge of a Freemason," 2015, p. 51-53.



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