Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Pitcher with Masonic Symbols
ca. 1811
Maker not marked
England
Earthenware with black transfer-printed decoration
overall: 11"h x 7-1/2"w x 11"d (spout to handle)
Gift of Union Lodge, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Dorchester, Massachusetts
75.46.11a

Masonic Pitcher; transfer printed Liverpool pitchers; obverse is standard Masonic pattern of Faith, Hope and Charity with many Masonic symbols including two columns, sun, moon and stars, all-seeing eye, level, crossed quils, square and compasses with Bible, trowel, level, pick-axe and shovel, crossed keys, star with "G", checkered pavement, etc...; reverse is an oval engraving with the inscription, "Veritas Privalelit", shows scene of men with buldings; transfer under the spout is the insignia of the Royal Arch Chapter of England; reads, "UNION-LODGE", under the insignia; described in the minutes as punch pitchers; paper label on bottom of pitchers.

This transfer-printed pitcher, one of a pair (75.46.11a-b), was presented to the Union Lodge of Dorchester, Massachusetts by Nehemiah Skillings in 1811. For more information, see Hamilton, John D., "Material Culture of the American Freemasons," 1994, p. 220-221; and blog post, March 22, 2011 http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2011/03/a-memorable-gift.html