If you are in London and staying in Mowbray Court Hotel, do not fail to visit the exhibition of the city’s re-creation of the ‘Ark of the Masonic Covenant.’
Sir John Soane is a Neo-Classical architect recognized for the construction of a substantial number of the great monuments in the city of London. His works include the Dulwich Picture Gallery the Bank of England, and the city’s Freemason’s Hall.
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During the 18th century, Freemasonry was rocked by the divisive rivalry between the ‘Antient’ and the ‘Modern’ Grand Lodges. The rivalry came to an end in 1813. The union of the Grand Lodges was recognized through a document called the Masonic Covenant.
Soane was commissioned to design an ornamental cabinet to hold this important document. The resulting creation was called the ‘Ark of the Masonic Covenant.’ It is a work of art, a piece of symbolical ritual furniture designed to honour the union of the Masonic Lodges.
Sir John Soane also designed the grand interiors of the Great Hall of the Grand Lodge. He positioned the Ark in the centre of the hall, directly beneath the dramatic, breath-taking hanging ceiling.
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Not a piece of this architectural ensemble, Soane’s handiwork, remains today. The interiors of the Great Hall were remodeled in the 1860s. In 1883, a fire razed the Ark.
Founded in 1717, London’s first Masonic Grand Lodge is now celebrating its 300th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the Ark has been reconstructed and is now on display.
The spectacular reconstruction of Soane’s Ark is the handiwork of the Houghtons of York. Other artistic creations, intended to give a glimpse of Soane’s broad and deep engagement with the Masonic order, are on display around the Ark. You will see the architect’s own Masonic regalia including his Masonic medal, gloves, and apron, a dazzling watercolour executed by J. M. Gandy, as well as a number of fascinating Freemasonry books from Soane’s own collection of treasured books.
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The event is sponsored by the Factum Foundation, as well as by England’s United Grand Lodge. Ferdinand Smith stands as guest curator.
The exhibition also launches a new book by Ferdinand Smith. The book gives Smith’s account of the process behind the re-creation of the Ark. It also includes contributions from key people like Douglas Burford and Dr. James Campbell. Burford was once the Lodge’s Grand Superintendent of Works, a position that Soane also assumed. Dr. Campbell is considered to be England’s foremost architectural historian.
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If you are staying in one of the hotels in London Earls Court, it is worth your while to visit the exhibition. The re-created Ark will find its permanent home in the Museum of Freemasonry located on Great Queen Street after the exhibition.
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