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Masonic Tracing Board
1863
Maker not marked
USA: Massachusetts
Oil on canvas
overall: 65"h x 48-1/2"w x 2-1/2"d
Gift of Trinity Lodge, A.F. & A.M., Clinton, Massachusetts
97.007.1

Hand-painted tracing board, or Master's Carpet, illustrating symbols associated with Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason's degrees. At center is an archway and a winding staircase with mosaic pavement and three-step dais. In the foreground is an altar with three "lights" flanked by gilt pillars. The tracing board has various Blue Lodge symbols at sides, top and bottom, including anchor, beehive, winged hourglass, ladder, all-seeing eye and Euclid's 47th Problem.


Today, as in the past, Freemasonry employs symbols to represent its tenets and truths. Through rituals and lectures, these symbols are explained and passed on from brother to brother. Freemasons use tracing boards such as this one to display the symbols during instruction. This tracing board was used by brothers at Trinity Lodge in Clinton, Massachusetts. Lodge records show that in 1863 members decided to procure a new tracing board and appointed a committee to undertake the task. Committee member Levi Green (dates unknown) commissioned this tracing board and presented it to the lodge. The artist who painted the work for Green may have employed a printed Masonic chart as a model for his work. For further information, see blog post, October 28, 2014 http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2014/10/opening-november-22-2014-every-variety-of-painting-for-lodges-decorated-furniture-paintings-and-ritu.html