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Notes
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Tracing boards are used by Freemasons in their lodge meetings as visual aids in their ceremonies, and there is usually a tracing board for each of the three ceremonies. This example is painted and gilded on wood, although they can also be painted or drawn on cloth or paper, or made out of stone. Many of the Masonic ceremonies centre on the biblical story of King Solomon’s Temple, so the central design is of two Freemasons standing outside of this temple. In the foreground are a set square, level and plumb rule. Freemasons make symbolic use of stonemasons’ tools in their ceremonies and they are often referred to as ‘working tools’. Although the board is dated 1819, it is one of a set of three that were presented to the Lodge of Honor and Generosity No.
Museum of Freemasonry
London
Title
Second Degree Tracing Board
Date
1819
Medium
oil on wood
Measurements
H 23.8 x W 16 cm
Accession number
D2009/41ii
Acquisition method
on loan from the Lodge of Honor and Generosity No.165
Work type
Painting
Inscription description
None
