Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic quilt with red, green and orange motifs appliqued on a white ground. Nine machine-pieced and hand-appliqued blocks with square and compasses with C [G] in the center, flanked by stars, moons and triangle/heart shapes. Diamond border at top and bottom of each block. The center block also has ladder motifs. The blocks are approximately 20 1/2 inches square. The quilt has one outer border (9 3/4 inches wide) with a white ground and appliqued red and green Masonic tools (square and compasses with C [G], plumb, level, maul and trowel at corners). The quilt is bound back to front. The backing (in three pieces) is muslin. The quilt has a thin batting. Quilted in parallel lines and feathered wreaths at seven stitches to the inch.

This quilt's blocks show Masonic symbols. In addition to the square and compasses motif in the center, the blocks have five-point stars, crescent moons and triangle shapes that may have been intended to symbolize the Masonic level. The center block includes two three-step ladders. The Masonic symbols continue in the outer border with trowels, mauls, plumbs and levels. A second quilt, now in a private collection, is very similar to this one, but has a different border and does not show the ladders in the center. Both quilts are thought to have been made in Ohio during the late 1800s or early 1900s. Both quilt show a relationship to more traditional floral applique quilts that were made in Ohio between 1850 and 1900.