Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Apron, Lodge Thistle and Rose No. 73
Early 20th century
Fattorini & Sons Ltd.
England: Bradford
Silk, leather, metal
overall: 13"h x 15-1/2"w
Gift of John Crowther in Memory of Jane Crowther
2018.007

Masonic apron of the Lodge Thistle and Rose No. 73. Apron is square-shaped, with a curved flap edged with gold bullion fringe and two rows of patterned gold ribbon. It has a dark red grosgrain ribbon waistbelt with a gold metal fastening that features a serpent-shaped S hook. Red satin flap decorated with a raised square, compasses, and quadrant symbol (possibly Past Master's) in thread wrapped in thin gold wire. Front of apron edged with dark red grosgrain ribbon trim surrounded by narrower, geometrically patterned gold ribbon. Trim surrounds a white leather (probably lambskin) rectangular panel, in the center of which is a dark red rosette with a coat of arms (shield with three castles and compasses), a flag bearing a lion at the top, and a beehive crossed with a shepherd's staff, a sprig of thistle on one side and a rose on the other; emblem is edged with the words, "LODGE THISTLE AND ROSE No73 - INSTITUTED 1758" in gold bullion. Flanking center rosette are two hanging tabs of dark red ribbon (one of which is broken and held together by a silver safety pin) tipped with rectangular gold metal plates from which hang gold ball-and-chain tassels. Below these are gold metal tau symbols edged with dark red fabric. On underside of flap is a dark red label embroidered in gold thread with maker's name: "REGALIA AND JEWEL MAKERS / Fattorini & Sons Ltd. / BRADFORD ENG". Apron is backed with dark red watered fabric.