Museum Collections
Luce Center
Masonic apron
Object name
Masonic apron
Date
1770-1800
Medium
Silk, metal
Dimensions
a (apron): 23 1/8 x 16 1/8 x 1/8 in. (58.7 x 41 x 0.3 cm)
b (sash): 4 1/8 x 70 1/4 x 1/8 in. (10.5 x 178.4 x 0.3 cm)
Description
White silk Masonic apron lined with light blue silk with blue silk ribbon ruffle on all sides, the top edge is dome shaped, the bottom corners are rounded, there are two silk ribbon ties; a tasselled rope suspending a stonemason tool is embroidered in gold metallic thread at the top, in the center is the compass and square symbol, with the single eye in front of two crossed flags, one the American, intertwined throughout are laurel leaves.
Credit Line
Gift of Goodhue Livingston, Jr.
Object Number
1951.523ab
Gallery Label
The apron and sash belonged to Robert R. Livingston (1746-1813), who, along with George Washington, was one of the many Freemasons involved in establishing the American Republic. After graduating from King's (Columbia) College and taking the bar in 1773, was elected to the second Continental Congress, was one of the five men who drafted the Declaration of Independence, administered the oath to President George Washington in 1789, and served as Chancellor of the Supreme Court.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.





