Mason's mark

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Mason's mark

A mason's mark is a small symbol carved into dressed stone. It was used on buildings and other stone work to help identify people, places, and processes during construction.

In stonemasonry

There were three main kinds of marks:

- Banker marks: put on stones before they were used in a wall. They show which banker mason prepared the stone for payment. This was common when payment was by measured work rather than time. For example, Lincoln Cathedral’s records from 1306 mention banker marks, and many such marks remain on blocks.

- Assembly marks: used to ensure stones were set in the right place and order. An example is Roman numerals on window jambs at North Luffenham church directing assembly sequence.

- Quarry marks: used to identify the stone’s source or its quality.

In Freemasonry

Freemasonry, which uses stonemasonry imagery, also uses marks. A Mark Master Mason creates his own mark as a personal signature or badge. Some marks are quite elaborate.

Gallery of masons' marks

There are many examples from around the world, shown on historic buildings such as Nidaros Cathedral in Norway, Coimbra Cathedral in Portugal, and other sites across Europe and the Americas.

See also

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