William Morris - Arts and Crafts Tile
William Morris Tile: Swan Tiles

William Morris Swan Tiles

More than a dozen "official" versions of William Morris's swan tile pattern exist. The earliest swan tiles surrounded the fairy tale panels designed by Edward Burne-Jones for Morris & Co. and painted by Lucy Faulkner.

William Morris swan tiles

We offer five variants of Morris' swan pattern.

Fairy Tale Swan Surround

The swan tiles surrounding the fairy tale panels at 'The Hill' are the earliest installation of Morris's swan tile design. The original tiles were 6-inch squares, divided into 36 small squares, with unscrolled sprigs of foliage alternating with swans.

Fairy tale swan surround from The Hill, in 36 squares on 6-inch tileFairy tale swan surround from The Hill, in 66 squares on 4.25-inch tile

We make our reproduction swan tiles in two sizes, the original 6-inch tiles and a smaller 4:25 version divided into 16 small squares. The smaller version works well with the Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Sleeping Beauty tile panels when used for stair risers.


    Title: Fairy Tale Swan Tiles

    Tile: Ceramic

    Quantity: 8 tiles

    Size: 6 inch square tiles (15.4 cm) or 4.25 inch (10.8 cm)

    Thickness: 3/8 inch (1 cm)

    Weight: 11.5 ounces (326 grams) each tile or 5.25 ounces (157 grams) each tile

    Set of 8 tiles:: $440 and $425, respectively
    Set of 4: $225 and $125, respectively.

    These tiles are for interior use

    Order a sample 'Hill' swan tile.

Borderless Swan Tiles

Unbordered swan tilesUnbordered swan tiles

This variant of the Fairy Tale swan tiles features 9 squares of alternating boughs and swans, on a 4.25 inch tile. These swan tiles are intentionally sized to work well as part of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Sleeping Beauty fireplace panel installations.

    Title: Borderless Swan Tiles

    Tile: Ceramic

    Quantity: 8 tiles (in two-tile sets)

    Size: 4.25 inch (10.8 cm)

    Thickness: 3/8 inch (1 cm)

    Weight: 5.25 ounces (157 grams) each tile

    Set of 8: $420 Set of 4: $215

    These tiles are for interior use

    Order a sample from the two-panel swan set.

Kelmscott Manor Fireplace Swans

Designed by William Morris, this version of the original pattern was Dutch made, probably by Ravesteijn Tileworks in the 1880s. Tiles in this pattern are found in the Green Drawing Room fireplace at Kelmscott Manor. Later variants of the swan tiles feature scrolled foliage.

The Kelmscott Manor fireplace swans have a strong cobalt color and are reminiscent of the stylized Scottish Arts and Crafts movement that occurred in the 1880's and 90's, almost 30 years after Morris had established his first shop in London.


    Title: Kelmscott Manor Swan Tiles

    Quantity: 8 tiles

    Size: 6 inch square tiles (15.4 cm)

    Thickness: 3/8 inch (1 cm)

    Weight: 11.5 ounces (326 grams) each tile

    Set of 8 tiles:: $440
    Set of 4: $225

    These tiles are for interior use

    Order a sample Kelmscott swan tile.

Late Morris and Co. Swans

This was arguably the most popular swan pattern, consisting of 16 squares of alternating swans and scrolled boughs. Produced at least 30 years after Morris began having the Swan pattern made in Holland and was sold by Morris and Co. well into the 20th century.

Late Morris and Co. Swan Tile, c. 1903)

      Title: Late Morris and Co. Swan Pattern

      Quantity: 8 tiles

      Size: 6 inch square tiles (15.4 cm)

      Thickness: 3/8 inch (1 cm)

      Weight: 11.5 ounces (326 grams) each tile

      Set of 8 tiles:: $440
      Set of 4: $225

      These tiles are for interior use

      Order a late Morris & Co swan tile.


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William Morris Tile • 18645 SW Farmington Road, Suite 226 • Beaverton, OR • 97007 • 503 974 4888 • Contact