Masonic Material Culture

[Justin Runyon]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

I checked the photo in EOG today. Even after using my lens on the image, I can't say that that is a masonic emblem.

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

I was just looking over the earlier pages of this thread and found something I thought was interesting. Let's compare the collar box from page four of this thread to the Ambro case featured above.

Was one copied from the other? Were they produced by the same person / company? Thoughts?

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

This is something pretty cool. Here is an original photo from eBay The third pic is of a similar apron being worn in the photo. The 3rd pic IS NOT the same apron worn in the photo, but looks as if it could have been made by the same artict.

[sgt sidd]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

I have a question to ask, the apron is it , cotton, leather or what fabric, was used in it? There is no G in the center, I know that the G was used some times and not. Very nice . Robert S Lanier

[jgr1974]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Hello friends Brothers, and fellow reenactors,

I have had an interest to make a Masonic "dress uniform". My plan is black frock pants vest white pleated shirt. Haven't deciced on kepi or forage cap, but will defineatly have the S&C Patch on it. Even looking ot the fancy embroidered gauntlets for special occasions. Of course an apron is in the works. My question is this anyone ever seen an original buckle with a Masonic motiff? I thought of having one made on the common spoon type design. Instead of a US or CS in the center the S&C with or without G. If I had one made this would be a "fantasy" piece per say as I have not seen an original. It would be something made by a local jeweller, as was common at the time, on a contract basis maybe from the local Lodge. I will get to the poin, and stop rambling. I basically have two questions, anybody seen an original period Masonic buckle, and is there a market if I have some made up? Anone else interested? Also, anyone know a good source for a CW era sword repro or original? Most I see on ebay are 1870+.

The Mad MIck!

[BrianHicks]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Jeremy,

Other than the dress uniform worn by the Knights Templars of the York Rite degrees, I've never seen, or heard of a Masonic Dress Uniform in any period sources (but admittedly... I am not that thoroughly educated on period dress of our Masonic ancestors). What are you basing your Dress Uniform off of? I'd be interested, if for nothing else, from and educational perspective.

[TATTOOS1]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Greetings brothers from bonnie Scotland
I do living history, civilian, and a CS soilder 43rd nc.
When I was over in the US a few years back, I picked up a two piece spoon and wreath buckle (civil war style) in a relic shop, its just the tin front, the lead had not been poured into it yet, also a masonic manual dated 1858, I'll try and post a picture later,
Hoping a brother can put a date to the buckle
All the best
Bro Bill Brown
Lodge friendship 1712
Edinburgh
Scotland.

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Some artifacts of interest in Raleigh:


APRON 19XX.79.2
MASONIC APRON; WHITE SILK APRON WITH LIGHT BLUE TASSLES AROUND EDGES AND FLAP. LIGHT BLUE SILK RIBBON FOR TIE BACK. ON FRONT ARE HAND PAINTED IMAGES OF A BEEHIVE, TWO COLUMNS, STARS…

http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/MOH/vfp...ABASE=51821549,


MASONS JEWEL 19XX.79.1
MASONIC MASTERS JEWEL OF RICHARD CASWELL, MASONIC SYMBOL OF COMPASS & SQUARE W/ ROUND GOLD MEDALLION IN CENTER, ENGRAVED ON LEFT ARM OF RULER IS "WSHPF BRO'" ON RIGHT ARM IS "WINSTON CASWELL".

http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/MOH/vfp...ABASE=52111924,

* * * * *

The apron is a conservation priority at this time, here is a link for those that might be interested in donating specifically to that artifact.

http://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/adoptanartifact/index.html

* * * * *

[Mojo1842]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Interesting to note, just like todays Aprons which are prevalent in Europe, you can note the presence of the three rossettas, and the two hanging 'tassle' like items.

Brethren,

I can attest to that as we have as a dual member a Brother from the province of Somerset and his apron has the tassles and rosettes also. Our officer aprons, however, are not so elaborate. We still have sets dating back to the mid-nineteenth century and I must admit having a thing for the old style silver fringe on them.

I've been meaning to take a camera with me to Lodge one night and get some pictures of Bro. (and Brevet Brig. Gen.) Durbin Ward's Masonic cane and MWB Thomas Corwin's Knights Templar regalia. Nothing like having a fraternal connection to the war on display.

WB Scott McGowan,
Past Master, Lebanon Lodge #26
Lebanon, OH

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Garrison,

Those are fantastic images!

The apron was made (I think) by an New England artist - most likely from Massachusettes. I have images of FOUR other aprons made by the same artist, all with the same design, with slight differences in the apron construction. THREE of the aprons are in MA and the other is in Nashville at the Grand Lodge of Tennessee.

Brothers, I'd like to point out something about the jewel. Has anyone else noticed that the jewler used a framing or "3 - 4 - 5" square? Very interesting

Thanks again Garrison!

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

I'll try and post a picture later,
Hoping a brother can put a date to the buckle

Brother Brown,

post those pics and we'll try and help you out!

[Justin Runyon]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Ahh Bro. Craddock, our 3-4-5 conversation rides again. :)

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

I have an apron from my father's family that’s similar to Caswell's in every fashion except for the color of the body, it's much darker. I’m still trying to find the time to pull it out of safe storage for a quick digital image or two.

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Garrison,

Would LOVE to see that apron! Especially if it is my the same artest as that pictured above! Maybe I could fill in some blanks about the apron for you...if I could see a pic of it (nod, nod, nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

Anyway, tomorrow I'm giving a lecture presentation I've put together called "The Evolution of the Masonic Apron in America: 1750 to Present." Brother Hicks has seen it before, didn't fall asleep and lived to tell about it. I hope this version is as fun as the last!

[33rd VA Co. H]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Gentlemen,
Here are a few more Masonic artifacts my associates have excavated... cuff links to be specific. The first one was found "somewhere in Pensylvania". The second, "somewhere in Kentucky" and the third from northern Frederick County in Virginia.