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Masonic Master Mason Apron
1835-1850
Maker not marked
USA: Tennessee (Probably)
paint on silk; cotton
ON BOARD: 20-1/2"h x 18"w; overall: 15-1/2"h x 17-1/2"w
Gift of Col. Herman E. Lacy
80.59

Masonic Master Mason apron with shield-shaped body and shield-shaped false flap; patterned silk lined with natural cotton; stenciled Masonic symbols in red and blue include all-seeing eye on flap, columns, hourglass, "G", plumb, square and compass, ladder, stars, beehive, lamp, Euclid's 47th problem, flooring; light blue pleated silk trim.


This striking apron looks like it is made of quilted fabric but was actually crafted out of silk with a stylized leaf design woven into it. The maker cut this apron so that the parallel lines of the woven design add dimension to the blue and red painting of Masonic symbols stenciled on the apron. Stenciling was a popular decorative technique in the early 1800s. It could be done quickly and did not require as much skill and practice as freehand painting. For further information, see Newell, Aimee E., "The Badge of a Freemason," 2015. p.156-157.