An Islettes earthenware plate with Masonic decoration, early 19th century

Saint-Clément or Les Islettes earthenware plate with a flared rim, featuring a low-fire polychrome decoration depicting a Masonic lodge carpet*. Early 19th century. Diameter: 21.8 cm * The history of Freemasonry began with stonemasons in the Middle Ages. It was then that the guilds established a series of handshakes, passwords, and other secret symbols to protect their trade secrets and verify their credentials. From there, many of these early masons organized themselves into Masonic “lodges” to care for one another and their families in the event of injury or death. Each Masonic lodge features representations of two pillars, replicas of the two columns that flanked the entrance to King Solomon’s Temple. The pillars are said to represent strength and stability. The Masonic square and compass are the most common symbols of Freemasonry, used to represent Freemasons and Masonic lodges around the world. The square and compass are two of the tools that ancient stonemasons used to work with stone. But for modern Freemasons, they are symbols of character building. The letter “G” in the center stands for geometry, the foundation of stonemasonry—and, symbolically, of modern Freemasonry. It is said that the Masonic Blazing Star is the culmination of a Freemason’s journey.