- Buy a sample tile.
- Place your order.
Historic Swan Tiles

William Morris Reproduction Tiles
Swan tiles, designed by William Morris in 1862, were sold by Morris, Marshall, Faulkner, and Co. as early as 1863. Between 'The Firm', Morris & Co., and Dutch tile houses, more than a dozen variants of Morris's swan pattern were produced. The first swan tiles were designed as a background for the bedroom fairy tale panels at 'The Hill'. Morris & Co. produced swan tiles well into the 20th century. A variant of the original design decorated the drawing room fireplace in Kelmscott Manor.
The fairy tale panels installed in the bedrooms at 'The Hill' are:
How to Order Swan Tiles
Ordering is easy.You can also request an invoice.
Sample Tiles
You can order a sample tile online or request an invoice.
The cost of your sample tile will be subtracted from the shipping costs of your completed order.
How to Care for Your Tile
You can clean ceramic tiles with any household non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge.
These tiles are for interior use.
Installing Your Tile
Laying out your tile in order will make installation easier.
Use only unsanded grout when setting your tile.
William Morris Tile: Swan Tiles
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William Morris Swan TilesMore 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. ![]()
We offer five variants of Morris' swan pattern. Fairy Tale Swan SurroundThe 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. ![]()
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.
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
These tiles are for interior use
![]() Borderless 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.
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
![]() Kelmscott Manor Fireplace SwansDesigned 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.
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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
These tiles are for interior use
![]() Late Morris and Co. SwansThis 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.
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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
These tiles are for interior use
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