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Masonic Scottish Rite 32nd Degree Apron
ca. 1861
Maker not marked
USA: Massachusetts (probably)
Silk, bullion, metal, velvet
body: 16"h x 16"w; footprint: 16-12"h x 22"w with ties
Gift of James H. Freeland
78.57.3

Masonic Scottish Rite Consistory apron; ecru silk satin background; on flap, painted double-headed eagle in black and gray, six flags painted blue, green, and red with braid poles; gold sequins outline red-painted Teutonic cross; all-seeing eye painted in brown surrounded by gold braid; flap has band of black velvet with gold braid; on body of apron, Camp of the Princes painted in red, blue, brown, gold, green, and orange with each outlined in sequins; flags formed from braid; sequin and braid border; black velvet edging with 1" gold fringe; black silk ties; 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 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, reflecting the symbols of the Scottish Rite’s 32nd degree, was made for Bostonian James Freeland (1827-1902), who joined the Scottish Rite in 1859. He received the 32nd degree in 1861. For further information, see Newell, Aimee E., "The Badge of a Freemason," 2015, p. 194; and Burgess, Richard B., et al., "A Sublime Brotherhood: Two Hundred Years of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction," 2013, p.134-135.