An Edgefield, South Carolina Face Cup Displayed at Henry Chapman Mercer's Fonthill Castle in Pennsylvania

Since I wrote about a wonderful red earthenware urn last week that I attribute to Henry Chapman Mercer's (1856-1930) Moravian Pottery & Tile Works in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, circa 1900-1930, I thought I should show this nineteenth century Edgefield, South Carlina stoneware face cup that may not be widely known, which is tucked away in the rafter's of one of the rooms in Mercer's Fonthill Castle, located next to the factory. 

According to the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle, "Built between 1908-1912, Fonthill was the home of Henry Chapman Mercer. Archaeologist, anthropologist, ceramist, scholar and antiquarian, Mercer built Fonthill both as his home and as a showplace for his collection of tiles and prints. The building served as a showplace for Mercer's famed Moravian tiles that were produced during the American Arts and Crafts Movement. Designed by Mercer, the building is an eclectic mix of Medieval, Gothic, and Byzantine architectural styles, and is significant as an early example of poured reinforced concrete. 

Upon his death in 1930, Mercer left his concrete "Castle for the New World" in trust as a museum of decorative tiles and prints. He gave life rights to Fonthill to his housekeeper and her husband, Laura and Frank Swain. In according with Mercer's Will, Mrs. Swain resided in the house and conducted occasional tours until her death in 1975."

Afterwards, the Trustees of the Mercer Fonthill Museum contracted with the Bucks County Historical Society in order to upkeep, landscape and manage the building and its grounds. This property, along with Mercer's Museum and Moravian Pottery and Tile Works were also listed as a National Historic Landmark District in 1985.

There are a small group of these face cups known today, such as some examples owned by the Museum of Early South Decorative Arts in Winton-Salem, North Carolina. According to MESDA, "Among the most recognizable of Southern pottery forms is the Edgefield face vessel. Beginning in the 1850s, these alkaline-glazed stoneware objects were reportedly made by African American potters who worked in the Edgefield District's vast network of potteries. In contrast to the standard production items of the time - utilitarian jars, jugs and churns - face vessels are relatively scarce. More than a hundred small face jugs have been recorded, but only ten face cups are known."

It is unclear to me if this object is included in the small group of face cups that are known today, but nonetheless, this is an important object that I saw a few years ago, which I thought was worth showing this morning.

An Edgefield, S.C. Face Cup Displayed at Henry Chapman Mercer's Fonthill Castle in PA

(Front Right) 19th C. Edgefield, S.C. Face Cup at Henry Chapman Mercer's Fonthill Castle in PA

Circa 1850-1870

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Photo Courtesy: Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle

Another View of How the Face Cup is Displayed

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Photo Courtesy: Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle

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