We are excited over this American early twentieth century green glazed red earthenware urn that was found a few years ago at a giant two-day estate sale, when the contents of an old multigenerational farmhouse in Berks County, Pennsylvania were sold in 2020. The reason we are excited is because I suspect this urn may have been made at Henry Chapman Mercer's (1856-1930) Moravian Pottery & Tile Works in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, circa 1900-1930.
The production of this piece, as well as the green glaze are very similar to some objects displayed at the museum (see below). The fleur-de-lis decoration found on this urn is also a decorative element found throughout tiles and other objects that were manufactured at Mercer's company. And if this is in fact an urn made in Doylestown like I suspect it is, then it is one of the few objects excluding original tiles and incised cups that I have ever seen for sale outside of a museum.
Nonetheless, shown below are some of the green glazed objects that were made at Mercer's company that seem to match this piece in glaze, as well as being similar to how the urn was produced.
Furthermore, according to Harvard Magazine, "Henry Chapman Mercer was born in 1856 to a wealthy Doylestown, Bucks County family. One of Mercer's greatest influences was his Aunt Lela, Elizabeth Lawrence. As she exposed Henry to her life in society she instilled in him a great sense of self and independence.
After graduating from Harvard in 1879, Mercer studied law at the University of Pennsylvania, but never pursued a career in the field. Instead, Mercer's interests turned to archaeology. He became the curator of American and Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania Museum in Philadelphia from 1894-1897. His site excavations as an archaeologist led to his interest in unearthing what drove America before the Industrial Age. Mercer began collecting objects that he felt told the story of human achievement. He believed that studying the tools that people used in everyday life painted a picture of their progression.
While building his collection, Henry developed a special interest in the Pennsylvania German and Moravian settlers. He was particularly attracted to German pottery and Moravian tile work. By 1889 he was producing his own architectural tiles, for which he became famous."
Henry Chapman Mercer was a major advocate of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, and this passion was certainly an influential factor in how he manufactured his tile works in Doylestown. Chapman oversaw the company from 1898 until his death in 1930. The significance of this factory received the recognition it so much deserved in 1972, when it was individually listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, and shortly thereafter was included with
Henry Mercer's Museum and
Fonthill Castle, as a
National Historic Landmark District in 1985.
Here are links to two articles that I have previously posted on this website about Mercer ---
1) Henry Chapman Mercer's Moravian Pottery & Tile Works: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2018/11/henry-chapman-mercers-moravian-pottery.html
2) Henry Chapman Mercer's Fonthill Castle: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2018/11/henry-chapman-mercers-fonthill-castle.html
Early 20th Century Red Earthenware Urn Found in a Farmhouse in Berks County, PA
My Niece Alexis Pictured with the Green Glazed Red Earthenware Urn
See Article for More Information
An Early 20th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Urn
I Suspect it was Made at the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works in Doylestown, PA
Found in an Old Farmhouse in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2020
Probably Circa 1900-1930
Stands 11 1/4" Tall
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Another View of the Urn
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Close Up of One of the Fleur-De-Lis Decorations
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View of the Interior
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View of the Base
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Green Glazed Objects Displayed at the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works in Doylestown, PAEarly 20th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Urn
Made at Henry Mercer's Moravian Pottery & Tile Works in Doylestown, PA
Circa 1900-1930
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Moravian Pottery & Tile Works Museum
Four 20th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Objects
Made at Henry Mercer's Moravian Pottery & Tile Works in Doylestown, PA
Circa 1900-1930
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Photo Courtesy: Moravian Pottery & Tile Works Museum
The Information that Accompanies the Four Pieces
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Photo Courtesy: Moravian Pottery & Tile Works Museum
20th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Bowl
Made at Henry Mercer's Moravian Pottery & Tile Works in Doylestown, PA
Circa 1900-1930
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Photo Courtesy: Moravian Pottery & Tile Works Museum
Some Other 20th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Objects
Made at Henry Mercer's Moravian Pottery & Tile Works in Doylestown, PA
Circa 1900-1930
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Moravian Pottery & Tile Works Museum
20th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Tile
Made at Henry Mercer's Moravian Pottery & Tile Works in Doylestown, PA
Circa 1900-1930
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Moravian Pottery & Tile Works Museum
20th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Tile
Made at Henry Mercer's Moravian Pottery & Tile Works in Doylestown, PA
Circa 1900-1930
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Moravian Pottery & Tile Works Museum
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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