Masonic Aprons in the 18th century vary far more than they tend to now.
With modern masons, the various jurisdictions regulate size, colours,
designs. Extant originals and artwork depicting Masonic processions and
events show some of the diversity that was common in the 18th century.
Understand however that there were also two main "flavours" of masonry, that
being the ancients and the moderns (at least in British and American
masonry). One of the things apparently that they didn't agree upon was
apron ornamentation. There were some variation in styles nationally as
well, though I suspect that many American Aprons were actually coming from
French sources.
Both of the supposed George Washington Aprons are Masonic. Only one has
really good provenance to Washington however (the one owned by the George
Washington Masonic Memorial). The other is commonly believed to have been
his presented to him by Lafayette. Today it is not unusual to have more
than one apron.
Some of the imagery or symbolism is very different in the 18th
century than today, most notably the letter "G" in the square and compasses
(though some jurisdictions still do not use this).
Fran's comment about modern members not necessarily knowing their
history is certainly valid with masons. If you wanted to contact masons for
images I would contact Grand Lodges, and of those jurisdictions old enough
to have 18th century stuff (many are not so old). There are many examples
to be found online however, most notably Washington's, but those two are
also pretty distinctive. If you can find it there is a book Bespangled,
painted & embroidered : decorated Masonic aprons in America, 1790-1850.
This discusses aprons and has some images though most of them are 19th
century.
Ron Carnegie
Senior Warden Williamsburg Lodge #6
Junior Steward Peyton Randolph Lodge of Research #1774
"I'm your huckleberry"
Ron Carnegie
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On
Behalf Of Kathryn Pinner
Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 3:01 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [h-cost] Masonic aprons
The frst time I sent this, I'm not sure it went thru, so I'm trying again.
Kate Pinner
In the 18th cent., would all the aprons in a Masonic Lodge be the
same? Or would the individuals have different ones? I ask because I'm
doing Amadeus next year and the play calls for three of them. There
is a portrait of George Washington in an apron and it is different
from what is supposed to be his Masononic apron, so he had at least
two different ones. Should make all the aprons the same of should they
be different? I don't want to cause great offence to any Masons in the
audience, but I kind of like the idea of them being different. Any
symbols I really shoudn't use? Does anyone know what Mozart's apron
really looked like?
Kate Pinner
Technical Coordinator
Kelsey Theatre
Mercer County College
609-570-3584
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