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Master Mason Apron
1824-1825
Lakeman & Hooper
USA: Massachusetts, Salem
Paint on silk, cotton, linen
body: 14-1/4"h x 15-1/4"w
Gift of Jon Gregory Adams Hill
2016.005.2

Master Mason apron. Rounded body and rounded flap. White silk with pleated light blue silk ribbon trim. Painted in gold and red on the flap is an all-seeing eye inside a sun or star. Painted on the body in gold and red is an arrangement of Masonic symbols. At center are three steps to a mosaic pavement. At each side is a column. In the center is an open book with "St. John" at the top of the pages. Above the book is a square and compasses with G in the middle. At top, between the columns, is a sun and a moon with seven stars. At the sides are an urn with incense, a beehive, an anchor and an ark. Bound along the top edge with blue silk ribbon. Off-white twill tape ties are attached at the corners (probably replacements). Lined with off-white linen. Applied at top center on the back is a blue paper label printed in black "Painted by Lakeman & Hooper / Corner of Essex and Washington Streets, / Salem, Mass."


In 1825 ornamental painter Nathan Lakeman (1804-1835) advertised that he offered, "Masonic aprons of the newest and most elegant patterns, constantly for sale...." He also sold "Floorings" and "Royal Arch Dresses...at short notice." He joined Jordan Lodge in Danvers, Massachusetts, in 1827. Sadly, he died of consumption in 1835 when he was 31 years old.