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Masonic Lodge Officer Apron
Artist unidentified
Photo by José Andrés Ramírez
Masonic Lodge Officer Apron
Masonic Lodge Officer Apron
Artist unidentified
Photo by José Andrés Ramírez
Masonic Lodge Officer Apron Artist unidentified Photo by José Andrés Ramírez
Record Details

Masonic Lodge Officer Apron

Date1875–1925
Place/RegionUnited States
MediumCotton embroidery on leather, with moiré border and rope and tassel ties, with a silk back
Dimensions12 × 15"
Credit LineGift of Kendra and Allan Daniel
Accession number2015.1.102
Description

These Masonic aprons are part of a larger set of officer aprons. They would have belonged to a lodge, which passed them out at meetings to the men who were serving in the various offices at the time. As the officers rotated in and out of their respective positions, the aprons were passed along to the next person to fill that role.

A full set of officer aprons would number fourteen. Each one shows the symbol associated with the office: the square for the Master, the level for the Senior Warden, the plumb for the Junior Warden, the crossed quills for the Secretary, the crossed keys for the Treasurer, the square and compasses with sun for the Senior Deacon, the square and compasses with moon for the Junior Deacon, a cornucopia for the two Stewards, crossed swords for the Inner Guard, a single sword for the Tyler, a Bible for the chaplain, a lyre for the Organist, and a baton for the Marshal.

Stacy C. Hollander, "Masonic Lodge Officer Aprons," exhibition label for Mystery and Benevolence: Masonic and Odd Fellows Folk Art from the Kendra and Allan Daniel Collection. Stacy C. Hollander, curator. New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2016.

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information. 

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Masonic Lodge Officer Apron
Artist unidentified
Photo by José Andrés Ramírez
Artist unidentified
1875–1925
2015.1.103
Masonic Lodge Officer Apron
Artist unidentified
Photo by José Andrés Ramírez
Artist unidentified
1875–1925
2015.1.104
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