Explore Collections
You are here:
CollectionsOnline
/
John Soane’s Masonic Apron
Browse
John Soane’s Masonic Apron
Museum number: X271
Not on display
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.
This apron does not appear in the inventories of Soane's collection drawn up in 1837 because it was in the second of three 'sealed repositories' created by Soane with instructions that they should not be opened until later in the 19th century. The second repository (in a closet off the Dressing Room on the ground floor) was opened on 13 December 1886. It is not known why this apron and Soane's masonic gloves were chosen for inclusion.
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.
This apron does not appear in the inventories of Soane's collection drawn up in 1837 because it was in the second of three 'sealed repositories' created by Soane with instructions that they should not be opened until later in the 19th century. The second repository (in a closet off the Dressing Room on the ground floor) was opened on 13 December 1886. It is not known why this apron and Soane's masonic gloves were chosen for inclusion.
Literature
Sue Palmer 'The Mystery of the Sealed Repositories' in Death and Memory: Sir John Soane and the Architecture of Legacy, Sir John Soane's Museum exhibition catalogue, 2015, p.43
Associated items
P142, comparison
X302, related material
X250, Soane sealed repository contents
X255, Soane sealed repository contents
X257, Soane sealed repository contents
X268, Soane sealed repository contents
X302, related material
X250, Soane sealed repository contents
X255, Soane sealed repository contents
X257, Soane sealed repository contents
X268, Soane sealed repository contents
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk