Late 18th to mid- 19th century

Mason's Apron

Freemasonry, the world's oldest and largest fraternal order, communicates moral lessons through allegorical ritual. The distinguishing badge of a Mason is the apron given upon initiation, which serves as a reminder of his affiliation and duties; it also references the protective gear of a working mason, with a real or suggested flap at the top. While varied in shape and decoration, the apron is made out of white lambskin or leather—a sign of purity—and may feature some of the many symbols important to the group, such as a compass and square, the columns of King Solomon's Temple, and the all-seeing eye.