Once a man becomes a Master Mason at his local lodge, he may choose to join additional Masonic groups, such as the Scottish Rite. Members perform a series of twenty-nine degrees, which are designed to supplement and amplify the philosophical lessons of the first three degrees of Freemasonry. This apron, reflecting the symbols of the Scottish Rite’s 32nd degree, was made for Bostonian James Freeland (1827-1902) who joined the Scottish Rite in 1859. He received the 32nd degree in 1861.