Mason's Mark

A mason's mark is an engraved symbol often found on dressed stone in buildings and other public structures.

In stonemasonry

Regulations issued in Scotland in 1598 by James VI's Master of Works, William Schaw, stated that on admission to the guild, every mason had to enter his name and his mark in a register. There are three types of marks used by stonemasons.

*Banker marks were made on stones before they were sent to be used by the walling masons. These marks served to identify the banker mason who had prepared the stones for their paymaster. This system was employed only when the stone was paid for by measure, rather than by time worked. For example, the 1306 contract between Richard of Stow, mason, and the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln Cathedral, specified that the plain walling would be paid for by measure, and indeed banker marks are found on the blocks of walling in this cathedral. Conversely, the masons responsible for walling the eastern parts of Exeter Cathedral were paid by the week, and consequently few banker marks are found on this part of the cathedral. Banker marks make up the majority of masons' marks, and are generally what are meant when the term is used without further specification.
*Assembly marks were used to ensure the correct installation of important pieces of stonework. For example, the stones on the window jambs in the chancel of North Luffenham church in Rutland are each marked with a Roman numeral, directing the order in which the stones were to be installed.
* Quarry stones were used to identify the source of a stone, or occasionally the quality.

In Freemasonry

Freemasonry, a fraternal order that uses an analogy to stonemasonry for much of its structure, also makes use of marks. A Freemason who takes the degree of Mark Master Mason will be asked to create his own Mark, as a type of unique signature or identifying badge. Some of these can be quite elaborate.

Gallery of masons' marks

File:Steinhoggermerke 58 C Nidaros.jpg, Mason's mark from Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway, late 12th century
File:Steinhoggermerke Vår Frue kirke.jpg, Masons's mark from Vår Frue Church, Trondheim, Norway, 12th century
File:Coimbra 2.jpg, Mason's mark on exterior of Coimbra Cathedral, Portugal, 12th century
File:Coimbra 3.jpg, Mason's mark on exterior of Coimbra Cathedral, Portugal, 12th century
File:Coimbra 4.jpg, Mason's mark on interior column of Coimbra Cathedral, Portugal, 12th century
File:Mason's mark St. Honorat 5.jpg, Mason's mark in the in Alyscamps, France, early 13th century
File:Masons mark St. Honorat.jpg, Mason's mark in the Église Saint-Honorat in Alyscamps France, early 13th century
File:Athenry Priory Arrowhead as Mason's Mark 2009 09 03.jpg, Arrowhead-shaped mason's mark in Athenry Priory, Ireland, 13th century
File:Jagdschloß Grunewald-33.jpg, Mason's mark close to the Lintel at the Jagdschloss Grunewald, Germany
File:Henry House Stone Wall 1, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - August 2019.jpg, Mason's mark on Henry House in Halifax, Canada, from 1834
File:Stone Mason marks as seen in the Chapter House of Fountains Abbey.jpg, Mason's marks from Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire, England
File:Canton Viaduct Masons Marks.jpg, Mason's marks on the Canton Viaduct, Massachusetts, USA, 1834–1835
File:Trier Porta Nigra Steinmetzzeichen MAC.jpg, Roman mason's mark at the Porta Nigra in Trier, Germany
File:Mason's mark (Walpole St Peter).jpg, Horizontal Wolfsangel as a mason's mark, St Peter's Church, Walpole St Peter, Norfolk, England, 15th century

See also

* Benchmark (surveying)
* Builder's signature
* Carpenter's mark
* House mark
* Merchant's mark

References

Further reading

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External links

Examples of Masons' marksThe Masons' Marks Project (Scotland)Scottish Stonemasons' Marks Project

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Masonic symbolism
Stonemasonry
Symbols
Inscriptions