Touring the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works - Doylestown, PA

Doylestown, the county seat of our dear Bucks County, PA,

is the locale of a great museum called the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works.

We toured it, totally loved it, and now I'm excited to show you my photos!

Henry Chapman Mercer founded and built the place in 1898,

and served as its director until he died in 1930.

It's an attractive poured-concrete building with several tall chimneys.

Mercer drew his design inspiration from the Spanish architecture

of California missions in San Juan Capistrano and Santa Barbara.

Here's a close-up of the detailed tile work on one of the chimneys.

We did the self-guided tour for an affordable $5 each

and learned quite a bit about this "working history" museum.

I really recommend a visit if you've an interest in tile.

Many of the original tile designs came from iron fireplace fire-backs.

These tiles with their muted earth tones were my favorites.

An example of a tile mold for this woman hand-dipping candles.

An illustration of the process from mold to finished product.

Philadelphia's own Ben Franklin is represented.

Molds for a grape harvest, left, and Moses with the Ten Commandments on the right.

We attended this year's Tile Festival, which was wonderful!

You can read my blog post about it here.

Also in Doylestown is Henry Mercer's collection of pre-industrial age artifacts,

housed in the Mercer Museum, which I blogged about here.

Mercer's home, located right next to the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works,

is called Fonthill Castle, which we plan to tour sometime soon.

(stay tuned!)

Links for your research:

Moravian Pottery & Tile Works

Mercer Museum

Fonthill Castle

Tile Festival at the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works

Doylestown, PA is the home of the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works,

built by Henry Chapman Mercer in 1912 during the Arts & Crafts Movement.

Every year, for the past 18, a festival is held on the grounds.

It's an opportunity to view historic and contemporary art tiles

displayed by artisans from near and far.

What an enjoyable experience! 

While attending craft fairs and art festivals, I enjoy chatting with the artists. 
I really appreciate the vast variety of works represented.

I've gathered photos of my very favorites to show you.

Above ~ gorgeous, rustic leaf designs by Steve Day, of Berks County, PA.

Below ~ a photo of the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works

with its large white tents pitched for the Festival.

A National Historic Landmark, it's maintained by the 

Parks & Recreation Dept. of Bucks County.

The style of architecture that Mercer used was inspired by the 

missions of San Juan Capistrano and Santa Barbara, California. 

I enjoyed meeting Patricia Tolton of P2 Ware and seeing her awesome,

earthy, Arts & Crafts style tiles. She's based in Kennett Square, PA.

Isn't this dragonfly stunning?

This amazing piece is by Audrey Ketterer Pianko of Wild Heart Pottery & Tile.

Such bright colors in this contemporary, abstract mosaic!

Loved talking with Mandy Baker of Whispering Hill Studio in Jamison, PA.

She creates several series of tiles that are just beautiful!

Fabulous Craftsman-style tiles by Mission Guild!
Nature as subject matter, simple designs, beautiful quotes, and 
subdued color choices for the glazes combine to evoke a calm serenity.

Here's Lynn Hume, of Sligo Creek Tile Co., who creates 

terrific porcelain and stoneware tiles. She's from Takoma Park, Maryland.

I couldn't resist this lovely dogwood brooch;

it'll be a nice surprise for my mother-in-law!

These are among many gorgeous ceramic tiles by artist

Mary Philpott of the Verdant Tile Studio in Ontario, Canada.

Edwin Mighell, Jr. of Redoubt Press is from Anchorage, Alaska.

He creates these terrific tiles using a mix that includes glacial clay.

It was so nice to meet Gregory Hicho and see his exquisite mosaics...

...along with his retro designs for a bit of nostalgic fun!

The Moravian Pottery & Tile Works is located

 at 130 E. Swamp Road in Doylestown, PA.

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