Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Needlework Picture
1808
Maker not marked; J. E. Tilton (framer)
USA: Massachusetts
Silk and watercolor on silk, glass, wood, gold leaf
19 5/8" x 15 5/8"
Special Acquisitions Fund
76.33.1

Masonic needlework picture. Silk ground fabric has been painted with watercolors to create a blue sky with clouds and a green gound. In the center is a brown and gray monument (painted and stitched in satin and outline stitches). Three Classical figures cluster around the top of the monument. They are allegorical figures of Wisdom (helmeted Athena); Strength (Hercules with skin of Nemean lion holding crossed keys); and Beauty (maiden trailing a rose vine). There are a few Masonic tools scattered at their feet. The figures stand around a plinth with an inked inscription reading, "To all regular Lodges / The Rt. Worshipfull presiding and / past Masters / thereof / The / Members of / Rising States Lodge / situate in th Town of Boston / No. under our jurisdiction / Elected Bror. / Benj. Russell / the bearer Most Worshipfull Master / A.L. 58 In which / station he was a Light to his / Brethren and an ornament to the / Craft / This testimonial of his meritorious / service recommends him to / the hospitality A.L. / and protection dur to a faithful overseer / 5808 / by order of the Most Worshipfull Grand Ma[ster] / John Proctor Grand Secretary." Under the figures, the top section of the monument is divided into three sections. One has a five-pointed star and a circle, one has Euclid's 47th problem and one has an inked and painted scene of a baby, lion and lamb. The rest of the monument steps down to the ground and has stitched lettering, "A.L. 5808 Timothy Bigelow Grand Master / Boston, Mass." In original gold frame with reverse painted glass (black with a gold star at each corner), oval opening for the picture. Printed label on back of frame reads, "Picture Frames, / Every Description, / Manufactured by / J.E. Tilton / 188 Essex, opp. Central St., Salem, Mass. / Also, all kinds of Drawing and Painting Materials / on hand. Copies and Fine engravings. / Teachers supplied."

Although Freemasonry is a male society, female relatives of Masons supported many of the fraternity's activities and became familiar with Masonic symbols. Using skills learned at a local academy, the maker of this needlework picture copied the design of a Past Master's certificate to commemorate Benjamin Russell's (1761-1845) term as Master of Boston's Rising States Lodge. For further information, see Newell, Aimee E., "The Badge of a Freemason," 2015, p.132; and blog post, June 12, 2012, http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2012/06/threads-of-brotherhood-masonic-quilts-and-textiles.html