The apron was identified by the Grand Lodge Museum in 1912 as being French c1800 most likely the earlier part of the century, it appears home-made and probably the Ecossais Degrees.
Ecossais is a French word pronounced a-ko-say, which Masonic terms is generally translated as Scottish master, there are numerous degrees under the same or similar name, all of them detailing the method adopted for the preservation of the word, American Freemasons will understand the character of Ecssaism, it is found in many other rites for example in the French Rite it is the 5th Degree, In Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite the 13th Degree or Knights of the Ninth Arch is properly an Ecossais Degree.
In the Ecossais system there is a legend, a part of which has been adopted in all the Ecossais Degrees, and which has in fact been incorporated into the mythical history of Freemasonry. It is to the effect that the builder of the Temple engraved the word upon a triangle of pure metal, and, fearing that it might be lost, he always bore it about his person, suspended from his neck, with the engraved side next to his breast. In a time of great peril to himself, he cast it into an old dry well, which was in the southeast corner of the Temple, where it was afterward found by three Masters.
They were passing near the well at the hour of meridian, and were attracted by its brilliant appearance; whereupon one of them, descending with the assistance of his comrades, obtained it, and carried it to King Solomon. But the more modern form of the legend dispenses with the circumstance of the dry well, and says that the builder deposited it in the place which had been purposely prepared for it, and where centuries afterward it was found. And this amended form of the legend is more in accord with the recognized symbolism of the loss and the recovery of the Word.
In America Entered Apprentices are presented with a similar apron on their initiation, the triangle has long been considered a sacred symbol and referred to the Deity or some Divine attribute and In times of antiquity the names of God and symbols of Divinity were often enclosed in triangular figures.
This apron was donated to the Museum in April 1946 by WBro P De Putron, who was initiated into Doyles Lodge of Fellowship No.84 on the 24th February 1915, passed on the 9th April 1919 and Raised on the 9th July 1919 and was Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1947. WBro De Putron held Provincial Grand Rank of Grand Standard Bearer 1947 and Senior Grand Warden 1950.
We appear to see an increase in items donated to the museum following the occupation, this could be explained by the fact that all the regalia held at the Masonic Temple was destroyed and when meetings resumed following liberation, Brethren donated any regalia they could to help get the Province back up and running.
