Reference: http://www.sellingantiques.co.uk
Masonic chairs are lovely visual works of art. The Masonic symbols on them have existed for centuries and are part of the rich Masonic history. Freemasonry has its roots in what Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem represents. The Worshipful Master’s chair represents a King’s throne.
Those deemed worthy or qualified to sit on the Worshipful Master’s chair are the ones that have been elected to the position of Worshipful Master. The Worshipful Master chairs are made of various designs. They could be roughly made wooden chairs or chairs that have been well adorned with filigree and gold.
Business owners choose chairs for the ergonomic comfort they offer or for the outlook of power it gives them. Worshipful Master chairs do not offer any ergonomic support. They don’t have levers or tilt mechanisms at all. Very few have a padding. They don’t have wheels, extendable arms or mesh seats.
Reference: https://images.metmuseum.org
They are hardly ever sold. And if they are sold, they are much more expensive than the costly, ergonomic chairs found around. A Worshipful Master’s chair is a representation of the loyalty and duties of a Worshipful Master to his lodge and the members of his lodge.
Those that are worthy to sit on Worshipful Master chairs are respectful men that believe in one Supreme Being, and they do all they can to promote peace and harmony in their lodges and support charitable causes wherever they are.
The Benjamin Bucktrout Worshipful Master's Chair
Reference: www.chipstone.org
This Worshipful Master’s chair was built by Benjamin Bucktrout of Williamsburg, Virgina, a cabinet maker between 1766 to 1777. The chair is over 200 years old, and it is made of mahogany with black walnut. It has an original leather seat with rocaille ornamentation. The chair can be found in The Colonial Williamsburg Collection.
Over 200-Year-Old Ceremonial Masonic Chairs
In 1791 or thereabouts, after Prince George IV of Wales became the first Royal Grand Master in 1790, a Junior Warden and Senior Warden chair was commissioned to be made for Freemasons’ Hall in London. The chairs can now be found in Freemasons’ Hall in London.
Robert Kennett, a London cabinet maker, made the chairs. It took him 3 months to complete the set of chairs. He also created a footstool. The chairs display the acanthus leaves, foliage, column and other symbols of the Junior and Senior Wardens.
The chairs are duplicates of each other with slight differences. The Junior Warden’s chair has a plumb and Ionic columns while the Senior Warden’s chair has a level and Corinthian columns. The chairs have fluted legs that taper down to brass castors and deep blue colored velvet seats. The chairs are made of gilded limewood.
Senior Warden Chair
Junior Warden Chair
The chairs have been re-gilded and repaired a lot of times. This made them to lose their original visual appeal. But a few years ago, W. Thomas Restorations Limited was commissioned by The United Grand Lodge of England to restore the chairs. All layers of gilt were removed from the chairs. The limewood carvings were repaired, and the chairs were re-gilded using water gilt instead of oil gilt. The restoration team spent about 3,375 hours in total on the chairs and the Master’s throne. 190 books of 23½ carat gold leaf. Thanks to the work of the restoration team, the 2 chairs that are over 200 years old remain beautiful.