Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Royal Arch Apron
1820
John Meer Sr. (probably 1756-1834)
USA: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Silk
overall: 17-7/8"h x 16"w
Museum Purchase
95.040

White silk Masonic Royal Arch apron with square body and square flap; with red silk edging; a rectangular flap painted with three crowns and a scroll inscribed: "HRAC" (Holy Royal Arch Chapter); hand-painted and gilded design of five steps leading to a mosaic pavement on which is the letter "G", twin pillars in foreground labeled "J" and "B", a Royal Arch whose pillars are labeled "SKT" and "HKT", and Ark of the Covenant guarded by two Cherubim, the side of the Ark dated "A.L. 5820", above in an arc the legend "Holiness to The Lord", and draped curtains exposing a delta with Hebrew letters of the Tetragrammaton; edge of the apron is stamped with the imprint "MEER PHILADa."

Trimmed with the red color (now faded) associated with the Royal Arch degree, this apron also bears symbols related to the degree such as an arch, three crowns and the motto, "Holiness to the Lord." The Philadelphia painter who marked this work, John Meer, is thought to be the father of another John Meer (dates unknown). Born in England, the older Meer immigrated to Pennsylvania where he earned his living as an artist and engraver. He joined Montgomery Lodge No. 19 in 1807. “The Badge of a Freemason: Masonic Aprons from the Collection,” March 2016-March 2017