Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Scottish Rite Rose Croix Apron
ca. 1860
Maker not marked
USA: Massachusetts (probably)
Satin, silk, chenille, braid, sequins
body: 13-1/2"h x 14-5/8"w
Gift of James H. Freeland
78.57.1

Masonic Scottish Rite Rose Croix apron; white satin background lined in black silk; shirred salmon-pink edging and ties; central red cross, gold braid, rose; sequin pelican with three young; roses and leaves of chenille embroidered around central motif; at top, radiant triangle with Hebrew letters; hand-stitched.

Once a man becomes a Master Mason at his local lodge, he may choose to join additional Masonic groups, such as the Scottish Rite. Members of the Scottish Rite perform a series of twenty-nine degrees which are designed to supplement and amplify the philosophical lessons of the first three degrees of Freemasonry. This apron shows the symbols of the 18th degree and was made for Bostonian James Freeland (1827-1902). For further information, see Newell, Aimee E., "The Badge of a Freemason," 2015. p.195.