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John Soane’s Masonic Apron
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John Soane’s Masonic Apron
Museum number: X271
Curatorial note
Soane became a mason in 1813 and would have needed an apron from that point. SM Archives 7/6/48 is a Receipt dated 23 Sept 1816, three years later, from Thomas Harper of 207 Fleet Street for ‘A grand officers apron £1.16.0’..
Once Soane had joined the Freemasons he was rapidly appointed as their Grand Superintendent of Works. Years later, in 1828, he was painted in that role by John Jackson (SM P142): the portrait shows him in his Grand Officer’s regalia (not this apron) which was borrowed from the Lodge so that Jackson could copy it - there is a letter in the archive reminding him to send it back.
Once Soane had joined the Freemasons he was rapidly appointed as their Grand Superintendent of Works. Years later, in 1828, he was painted in that role by John Jackson (SM P142): the portrait shows him in his Grand Officer’s regalia (not this apron) which was borrowed from the Lodge so that Jackson could copy it - there is a letter in the archive reminding him to send it back.
Associated objects
P142, comparison
If you have any further information about this object, please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk