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Masonic Royal Arch Apron
1870-1900
Maker not marked
USA: New York
paint on leather, cotton
overall: 12-1/2"h x 14-1/4"w x 1/8"d
Museum Purchase
2014.033.5

White leather Masonic Royal Arch apron with square body and triangular flap. Painted on the flap is a silver banner with red lettering "St. Johns Chapter." At center is a gold keystone with lettering "HTWSSTKS" and "103" in the center. The body is painted with a central emblem in gold, silver and blue. Blue oval at center with a gold and silver square and compasses emblem in the middle. Written in gold on the blue oval is "Founded / 22 / 1802." At top and bottom of oval are gold banners "St. Johns / Lodge." Along the bottom is a silver banner with red lettering "Gideon W. Scofield." At the left side is a gold Past Master emblem with square and compasses, arc, sun and wreath. Below this is a silver shield with black lettering "1863 / April 29th / May 27th / June 10th." At the right side is a silver square and compasses symbol with G. Below this is a gold shield with black lettering "1865-1866 / ad. Dec. 7th / Pass. Jan. 3nd / M.Ex. Jan. 31st / Exalt. Feb. 14th." Top edge is bound with off-white twill tape. Backed with muslin. Machine sewn.


This apron celebrates the Masonic career of its owner, Gideon W. Scofield (1830-1907) of Greenfield, New York. Scofield’s Masonic activities are spelled out on this apron, including the name of his lodge and his Royal Arch chapter. The dates he took his degrees are painted on the apron in silver and gold shapes resembling Masonic badges. “The Badge of a Freemason: Masonic Aprons from the Collection,” March 2016-March 2017