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Actions Displays	Masonic Stone Remove from selection Add to selection Reproduction Download mediaDownload as zip file Object number17985 TitleMasonic Stone DescriptionWorn, weathered, cracked and around four hundred years old: this intriguing stone has certainly been through the mill and we are slowly but surely uncovering its story. We know that it was kept for many years inside the Crown Hotel in Kippen, Stirlingshire. At one point it belonged to the artist D Y Cameron. It was run over by a coal lorry and broken in two in the 1960s. But what exactly is it for and what do the symbols represent? We believe that this is a form of masonic tracing board. The symbols on tracing boards were used to teach new members about the various theories of Freemasonry, and also to remind experienced members of these concepts. Look closely and you can see that recognisable Masonic symbol, the square and compasses, a reminder to uphold moral standards. The sun, moon and stars sit above other tools that have meanings beyond their practical use: the large gauge is not just for measuring but is a reminder to divide and use time wisely; the trowel not only spreads cement but represents the bond between members. The masonic statutes were introduced in Scotland by William Schaw in 1598. Appointed master mason by James VI, Schaw’s family came from the Kippen area, near where our masonic stone was found. Responsible for the building and maintenance of the royal palaces, Schaw would have been familiar with Stirling Castle. There was a masonic lodge in Stirling as early as 1599 – it is possible that this stone was used to instruct new masons who worked at the palace and in the surrounding area. Production period17th century Object nameStone, masonic Stone Sculpture MaterialSandstone TechniqueCarved Dimensions whole Height: 890 mm whole Width: 600 mm whole Depth: 70 mm

Reproduction

Download mediaDownload as zip file

Object number17985

TitleMasonic Stone

DescriptionWorn, weathered, cracked and around four hundred years old: this intriguing stone has certainly been through the mill and we are slowly but surely uncovering its story. We know that it was kept for many years inside the Crown Hotel in Kippen, Stirlingshire. At one point it belonged to the artist D Y Cameron. It was run over by a coal lorry and broken in two in the 1960s. But what exactly is it for and what do the symbols represent? We believe that this is a form of masonic tracing board. The symbols on tracing boards were used to teach new members about the various theories of Freemasonry, and also to remind experienced members of these concepts. Look closely and you can see that recognisable Masonic symbol, the square and compasses, a reminder to uphold moral standards. The sun, moon and stars sit above other tools that have meanings beyond their practical use: the large gauge is not just for measuring but is a reminder to divide and use time wisely; the trowel not only spreads cement but represents the bond between members. The masonic statutes were introduced in Scotland by William Schaw in 1598. Appointed master mason by James VI, Schaw’s family came from the Kippen area, near where our masonic stone was found. Responsible for the building and maintenance of the royal palaces, Schaw would have been familiar with Stirling Castle. There was a masonic lodge in Stirling as early as 1599 – it is possible that this stone was used to instruct new masons who worked at the palace and in the surrounding area.

Production period17th century

Object nameStone, masonic Stone

Sculpture

MaterialSandstone

TechniqueCarved

Dimensions

whole Height: 890 mm
whole Width: 600 mm
whole Depth: 70 mm