Objects

A Free Mason Composed of the Materials of his Lodge
1781
J. Coles, artist; Perkin & Coles, printer
USA: Massachusetts, Salem
Ink and watercolor on paper
overall: 10"h x 7-3/4"w
Gift of Jon Gregory Adams Hill
2016.005.6

A Free Mason Composed of the Materials of his Lodge engraving. Central figure of a Mason made out of Masonic symbols: sun for head, squares for arms, compasses and arc for hands, book for chest, apron at waist, columns for legs. The figure also wears a Master's square jewel. He stands on a black and white mosaic pavement. To one side on the floor is an ashlar and mallet, to the other side is a drawing of Euclid's 47th Problem. At bottom center is printed "A Free Mason / Composed of the Materials of his Lodge / Behold a Master Mason rare / Whole mystic Portrait does declare / The Secrets of Free Masonry; / Free for all to read and see; / But few their be to whom they're known / Tho' they so plainly here are shown." Printed on the column bases that form the "feet" is "5781" and "1781." Printed along the bottom is "J. Coles pinxt. Salem Printed by Perkin & Coles." Some sections are hand-colored in yellow or blue; a pattern is painted on the columns in blue. Printed on laid paper.


Designed by J. Coles (dates unknown) of Salem or Boston, Massachusetts, "A Free Mason Composed of the Materials of his Lodge" shows a fanciful Freemason--his body formed of Masonic symbols. His head is a shining sun (a symbol of the lodge master), his neck and body are shaped out of Masonic tools (including a plumb, a level, closed compasses and a rule). He has columns (symbolizing the pillars at the entrance of King Solomon’s Temple) for legs and blocks, or ashlars (representing perfection through education), for feet. The figure stands with his bent arms pointing up and down on a black and white pavement, another Masonic symbol. An elaborate surround of curving elements supports the flooring and frames a verse. The verse suggests that even when Masonic symbols are easily observed, their meaning is known only to Freemasons. For additional information, see Blog post, November 30, 2016 http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2016/11/new-to-the-collection-a-free-mason-composed-of-the-materials-of-his-lodge.html