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Unfinished Masonic Master Mason Apron
ca. 1812
Thomas Kensett (1786-1829)
USA: Connecticut, Cheshire
Ink on silk
overall: 17-5/8"h x 15-1/4"w
Museum Purchase through the Generosity of Helen G. Deffenbaugh in Memory of George S. Deffenbaugh
2008.058

Unfinished white silk Masonic apron printed in black. Body is square; rounded flap is basted along the top edge. The left side of the body shows the selvage, with orange and teal stripes; the other edges are raw. The flap also shows selvage, with orange and teal stripes, on the right side; all other edges are raw. Printed on the flap is an all-seeing eye with glory rays. An arrangement of Masonic symbols is printed on the body. The central motif is four levels of colonnaded rooms. Each section shows columns and a selection of Masonic tools and symbols. The bottom level has a circular motif with the words, "Silence and Circumspection." The next has mosaic flooring with an open book at back. A square and compass is on the book. The third level shows a level, plumb and square with a G; at the back a figure stands in an open doorway. The top level shows an anchor, coffin, trowel, hourglass, skull and crossbones, scythe, spade and other symbols. An archway at back shows a pastoral landscape beyond. Drapes are held above the top level by a pair of flanking angels. Lettering at top reads, "Hail! heavenly virtue! thine's a Sacred flame!" A classically-dressed female figure is at center top; clouds extend to each side, with a sun on left and a moon and stars on right. A pair of columns flanks the central motif; each column has a globe on top. There are symbols between the column and the center motif on each side, including: ark, beehive, scales, Euclid's 47th, urn burning incense, and clasped hands. There are also symbols across the top: circle between two lines, sword and heart, sword and book, and a ladder. Printed on the base of the columns is "T. Kensett Cheshire Connect / Sculpsit et edidit MDCCCXII." Printed along the bottom of the design is "Copyright secured The Masters Carpet compleat."


This silk apron is printed with an engraving by Thomas Kensett (1786-1829). Kensett was born in England and emigrated to America, settling in New Haven, Connecticut, by 1806. In 1812, he entered into a partnership in the map and print publishing firm, Shelton and Kensett, in Cheshire, Connecticut. Around the time that Kensett partnered with Shelton, he joined Temple Lodge No. 16 in Cheshire. We know that aprons were generally printed before they were hemmed and finished, but this example has the flap basted along the top. This begs the question, "Was it printed before the flap was basted onto the body or after?" Careful examination shows that the flap was attached before it was printed. The edges of the engraving plate are visible on the flap and line up with the portion of the design on the apron's body. The apron has one selvage edge. The other three edges remain raw. They would have been folded under and hemmed, then finished with ribbon trimming. The selvage edge, too, would have been turned under and hemmed. And, of course, ties would have been added to the top corners. For unknown reasons, this apron was set aside only partly finished. Examination of the apron shows how some craftsmen printed engraved aprons. Broad stitches fix the flap to the body of the apron. Marks left by the edges of the engraved plate used to press the design onto the fabric make clear that the body of the apron was printed after the flap was attached. For further information, see blog post, July 1, 2010 http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2010/07/an-unfinished-apron.html