Objects

Viewing Record 38 of 107
Previous Record  Next Record
Switch Views: Lightbox | Image List | List

Masonic Blanket Chest
ca. 1820
Maker not marked
USA: New England
Pine, paint
overall: 17"h x 40"w x 18"d
Special Acquisitions Fund
75.28

Masonic blanket chest; painted red with black stenciled design of Masonic arch, columns, and symbols; also marked "MH."


A craftsman decorated this pine chest with red paint and stenciled Masonic designs. Stenciled ornaments enjoyed a vogue as decoration on walls, furniture and textiles in the first few decades of the 1800s. The craftsman who stenciled this chest marked it as the property of a Royal Arch chapter with multiple arches on the front and sides. Chapter members would have stored their regalia or other valuable objects in the chest. For more information, see blog post, February 24, 2015 http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2015/02/decorated-chests-in-every-variety-of-painting-for-lodges.html



Related Media