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 Henry Chapman Mercer and the Moravian Pottery and Tile WorksHenry Chapman Mercer (1856-1930) was one of the leading figures of the Arts and Crafts Movement in America. His unique ceramic murals, pavings, and sculptural reliefs were of great importance to the reform of architectural decoration early in the twentieth century.

"The author has carefully used the phrase 'Renaissance man' to describe her quixotic subject, and she fully exploits a rich lode of surviving papers, business and personal, in order to shed light on Mercer's diversified career as an archaeologist, scholar, collector, designer of reinforced concrete buildings, and tilemaker. . . . Suffice it to say that Ms. Reed and her publishers have spared no expense in producing a beautiful book. Indeed, my satisfaction with Henry Chapman Mercer and the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works is complete. Cleota Reed's book satisfies in terms of both content and arrangement. The author has filled an important gap in the story of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the United States by rediscovering Henry Mercer's role."
--Pennsylvania History

"Not only is this a fine reference book for the academic, but it will also interest anyone who likes ceramic tiles, since the author has done so much research and shows us Mercer's methods. It is a must for those interested in the early Arts and Crafts Movement in the United States. . . . I found the preface very informative, not only in regard to Mercer, but concerning artists in general. The appendices are thorough and extensive, as is the bibliography, and the book is indexed. . . . Fine photographs."
--New York-Pennsylvania Collector

"Immaculately researched, written, and illustrated."
--Journal of Design History

The book's elaborate appendices document all of Mercer's catalogued tile designs as well as his art pottery and the subjects of his major themes. The bibliography includes all of Mercer's publications in his several fields of interest and comprehensive lists of the literature about him, his work, and the ceramic art of his times.

Cleota Reed is Research Associate in the Department of Fine Arts at Syracuse University.

  Date Published 10/1/1996

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Rated By: Peter Melling
From: Doylestown, PA
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Comments: Excellent Historical Reference
This book is an excellent historical reference on Henry Chapman Mercer and the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works. Many fine photos accompany very informative writing.