There is an organisation that held the largest sit down meal ever seen in this country, where the customs and manners of Georgian England still survive, whose feasts over nearly three centuries have seen a mixing of races, religions and cultures unheard of in the UK until recent times. That organisation is Freemasonry.
Masonic Ball, c 1850s, pen and ink drawing
Square Meals: 300 Years of Masonic Dining at the Library and Museum of Freemasonry will recreate Masonic dining from the early 1700s to the present, following the festive meal through times of prosperity and wartime austerity. One of the largest silver table centrepiece in the country, rare ceramics and glass, even Masonic jellies and still filled bottles of 150 year old drinks will give a unique insight for the first time into the ceremonies, friendship and fun that make up the Masonic feast.
Come to the Goose and Gridiron for an early meeting of the first grand lodge, have a meal in Islington with the Country Stewards Lodge, learn why cigars were better than food in Kipling’s mother lodge in India, or see artefacts from the meal for 7000 at Olympia in the 1930s.
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- Masons commissioned the finest items for their tables. The Bristol blue decanter was made c1770 for the ‘Lodge of Perfect Union’. The glasses were made by William Beilby, c1760. Beilby was the first person to perfect the art of enamelling on glass.
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- This silver and glass epergne (flower and fruit bowl), c1887, is full of Masonic symbolism, including the reclining cherubs, which also appear on the coat of arms of the United Grand Lodge of England.
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- A toast rack with the dividers made from Masonic set squares and compasses.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Exhibition dates: Monday 7th July – Friday 26th September 2008.
Exhibition free of charge all visitors
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 11am to 5pm. Museum closed at weekends.
The Library and Museum of Freemasonry, Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AZ
