Group of Green Glazed Tiles Removed from a Church in Northern New England

According to author, Tim Grove's book, A Grizzly in the Mail and Other Adventures in American History, "Approximately 41.5 million brilliant tiles tell the stories of the history of churches in America, from American made examples to tiles that were imported from overseas." Although, America's contribution to the history of decorative tiles largely began with the Arts and Crafts movement, but there are examples that predate this period of production, such as stove tiles made by Moravian potters in Salem, North Carolina, circa 1760-1800. Roof tiles were also made in America as early as the seventeenth century. However, the production of American decorative tiles was most prominent during the 1870 to 1930 period, spanning  production throughout America, including Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Earlier this week, I visited Nor'East Architectural Salvage in South Hampton, New Hampshire, looking for a group of raised panel shutters, nevertheless, I was surprised to see their inventory of tiles. Examples ranged from rare pieces made in Chelsea, Massachusetts to much more common plain tiles. As I continued to look around their inventory, I found myself intrigued with this group of green glazed tiles, some manufactured with figures in relief. I was told they were removed about a decade ago from an early-nineteenth century church in northern New England.

I assume these tiles were imported from a foreign manufacturer seeing that I have not seen any American production that appears like this; they were manufactured from a red earthenware clay. Although, the characteristic that really caught my attention was the bright colored green glaze; most of the tiles are covered in filth. The green tile shown in the middle of the top row best represents how the glaze looks, but even this tile was dirty.

Group of Green Glazed Tiles Removed from a Church in Northern New England

Group of Green Glazed Tiles Removed from a Church in Northern New England

The Tiles are Made from a Red Earthenware Clay

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Photo Courtesy: Nor'East Architectural Salvage

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