Tracing Board with Masonic Symbols
Maker not researched |
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| Name/Title: | Tracing Board with Masonic Symbols |  | | Date Made: | 1796 | | | Maker: | Maker not researched | | | Nationality: | American | | | Place Made: | USA: Massachusetts, Boston | | | Materials: | Oil on Canvas; brass; wood | | | Measurements: | overall: 54 x 35 1/2 x 1 in.; 137.16 x 90.17 x 2.54 cm | | | Accession Number: | 75.46.17 | | | Credit Line: | Gift of Union Lodge, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Dorchester, Massachusetts | | | Object Type: | Instructional Device | |
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A painted Masonic floor cloth mounted on pine board, in the form of a rectangle or "oblong square" with an "indented" border composed of alternating black and white triangles. The board is edged with leather tape under regularly spaced brass-headed tacks. Within the border are Masonic Craft symbols, some highlighted in gold leaf, that are associated with the Entered Apprentice Degree. This painted floor cloth was identified as a "Flooring Compleat" in "An Inventory of Utencils & furniture belonging to the Union Lodge," first compiled on December 13, 1796. In 1818 it was listed on the annual inventory as the "Apprentices flooring." By 1820 it was listed as the "Eter.d apprentices flooring" and was joined by a "Master Do. (Masters [flooring] ditto) and a "Draf.g Board" (Drafting [trestle] Board).
From: John D. Hamilton. "Material Culture of the American Freemasons." Lexington, Mass.: Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library, Inc., 1994, page 42.
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