Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Master Mason Apron
1822-1830
Charles Codman (1800 or 1801-1842)
USA: Maine, Portland
Paint on silk, cotton
body: 17-1/2"h x 15"w
Museum Purchase
94.054

Masonic Master Mason apron with shield-shaped body and rounded flap; white silk with blue pleated floral woven ribbon trim; hand-painted on flap: all-seeing eye with red glory rays, sun, moon and stars; apron: three steps, checkered pavement, archway with "G" and winding steps, pillars flank pavement; Bible, square and compasses at bottom; other Masonic symbols and tools surround; signed under flap "C. CODMAN"; reverse signed in pencil: "Martha Anderson / Falmouth / Maine"; cotton backing.

The Maine artist who decorated this apron, Charles Codman, had a full repertoire of abilities. He advertised that he painted banners, signs, landscapes, clock dials and furniture. This diversity of offerings illustrates how popular painting was as a method of decoration in the early 1800s as well as how craftsmen outside of densely populated areas relied on a broad range of skills to earn a living. Before moving to Maine, Codman served as an apprentice to Boston ornamental painter John Ritto Penniman (1782-1841). A member of St. John’s Lodge, Penniman painted aprons and other Masonic objects—with his apprentices’ help. Codman may have become familiar with Masonic symbols as an apprentice, or he may have used another apron as a model for this work. For further information, see Newell, Aimee E., "The Badge of a Freemason," 2015, p.142-143.