Box

Box

Nathan Negus, who is thought to have decorated this box with Masonic symbols, served as an apprentice to Boston ornamental painter John Ritto Penniman (1782-1841). A member of St. John’s Lodge in Boston, Penniman painted aprons and other Masonic objects—with his apprentices’ help. As a young man, Negus, possibly following Penniman’s example, joined the fraternity. Writing home he noted of his membership, “I am a member of a society who will never see me Suffer….”

For more on this object please visit the online collection record here.

Special Projects Fund, Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U.S.A., 2008.002.2

Attrib. Nathan Negus (1801-1825), Boston, Massachusetts

1814-1820