Description:
Masonic painted, leather apron with pleated silk ribbon around the shaped edges, which was owned by the Morrison Family of Peterborough, NH in the 1820s according to the auction house. The front surface is painted with a variety of symbols - a sunburst, a moon, a long entwined tassel or cord, the pillars of Solomon's Temple, two trophies of tools associated with the mason's trade, a chisel and adze with two stone blocks, stairs leading to a wooden board with a skull, and the compass and ruler with G in the center. The symbols, mottoes, and poem refer to the teachings and practices of the secret fraternal organization of the Free and Accepted Masons. Upholding the principles of morality, charity, and obedience to the law, Masons became a very popular and powerful civic organization in colonial and early America. Their members included many of the most famous Americans such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Paul Revere. Traditionally, masons were buried with an apron of this sort. This apron was probably made for that purpose, but never used.
Subjects:
Textile fabrics; Leather; Silk Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2002.78 |
