Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Pitcher, "To judge with candor..."
ca. 1804
Maker not marked
England: Staffordshire
Creamware printed in black and painted in enamels with gold leaf
overall: 9-1/4"h x 6-1/4"w x 9"d
Loaned by the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts
GL2004.1573

Transfer-printed Masonic creamware pitcher with painted color highlights; gilding around spout, rim, and handle; on one side is printed image of Masonic symbols: checkered floor with J & B columns to left and right along with plant sprigs; between columns are three candlestands, coffin, star with inset "G", keys, acacia, rooster, beehive, open Bible with overlaid square and compasses, plumb, level, crossed quills, "Memento Mori" banner, 47th Problem of Euclid, sun, moon, and Hope, Faith, and Charity female figures, etc.; below spout is printed eagle with wings spread and thirteen stars above head and two beside; printed below is: "Peace. Commerce, and honest Friendship with all Nations_Entangling Alliances with none _ Jefferson / Anno Domini 1804"; on other side is print showing arch, all-seeing eye, and mother and children (representing Charity) on stairs; below is printed "To judge with candor, and to speak no wrong. / The feeble to support, against the strong. / To soothe the wretched, and the poor to feed. / Will cover many an idle foolish deed." On bottom are two stickers: "Masonic / pitcher / 300, =" and "1582".

For further information, see Newell, Aimee, et.al., "Curiosities of the Craft: Treasures from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Collection", 2013, p. 134-135.