Tracing Boards for Temples and Lodges

Wherever work is carried out in the temple, the tracing board lies at its centre. It carries the symbols around which the work is ordered, and it often accompanies a lodge for generations.

We make tracing boards by hand, to the specifications of your lodge, your rite and your degree.

I

An Ancient Craft

Knotting is one of the oldest crafts of all, and it has more in common with building than one might think. Knot by knot an image takes shape, just as a building rises stone by stone. Only patience, a true eye and care in the smallest detail make the whole sound.

Our tracing boards are made in a family-run partner workshop near Kathmandu in the Tibetan knotting tradition. A piece of this size takes many weeks of concentrated work. Every piece is unique.

II

The Materials

The choice of material determines how a rug looks and how it ages.

  • Highland wool from Tibethand-spun, rich in lanolin, hard-wearing and with a lively, slightly irregular yarn texture
  • New Zealand woolmore even and somewhat smoother, particularly suited to clear lines and fine drawing
  • Silkfor outlines and symbols that are meant to stand out in the light
  • Mohair, alpaca and cashmerefor special editions of exceptional softness

The materials can be combined freely, for example a wool ground with symbols in silk. All rugs come from Label STEP certified production.

III

Design Proposals

Hand-knotted tracing board rug, Entered Apprentice: design proposal with two columns, square and compasses, rough ashlar, gavel, chisel and mosaic pavement, 150 x 225 cm
Entered Apprentice150 x 225 cm (5 x 7 ft)
Hand-knotted tracing board rug, Fellowcraft: design proposal with blazing star and G, two columns, square and compasses, perfect ashlar, level, plumb rule and mosaic pavement, 150 x 225 cm
Fellowcraft150 x 225 cm (5 x 7 ft)
Hand-knotted tracing board rug, Master Mason: design proposal with coffin, skull and crossbones, acacia sprig, hourglass, trowel, square and compasses, 150 x 225 cm
Master Mason150 x 225 cm (5 x 7 ft)

These designs are suggestions. Colours, symbols and arrangement are adapted to the customs of your lodge.

IV

Individual Designs and Formats

Individual designs and special formats are our speciality. Whether after a traditional model, after the image of an old tracing board in your lodge's possession, or as a new design: we bring it to life.

How your rug is made

  1. You tell us your rite, degree, size and ideas.
  2. We prepare a design and material samples.
  3. Once you approve, knotting begins. Production takes 3 to 5 months, depending on size and finish.
  4. Delivery within Europe is free of charge. On request we mount the rug on a batten so that it can be hung easily and taken down again.

Enquiries

Every enquiry is treated in confidence. Write to us or call us, we will be glad to advise you personally.

Programma per i professionisti

Per gli interior designer

Serviamo numerosi interior designer negli Stati Uniti, in Canada, in Europa e in molte altre aree. Lavoriamo con i colori PANTONE, RAL e con il sistema cromatico ARS.