Westmoore Pottery
Westmoore Pottery was founded in 1977 by potters
David and Mary Farrell. Both the Farrells had been fascinated by clay since
childhood, and by 1977 had a growing interest in historical pottery in
particular. David and Mary had each David and Mary Farrell have always had a keen interest in preserving ceramic heritage and history, and this is reflected in the wares that they sell. They even have a small book section on historical pottery and cookery.
All their pottery is made on the premises, halfway between the small towns of Seagrove and Robbins, NC. Their pieces are made in the old traditions, with the look and feel of pottery from the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries, up to around 1850. Mary and David are especially drawn to pottery styles which were used in the very early days of North Carolina; including pieces made in England, Germany, New England, Pennsylvania, and of course in the central clay country area of North Carolina. Gradually, as the years went by and the Farrells did more and more research, they found that the pottery styles used in the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries particularly captured their interest. This remains the focus of their interest today, and they are best known for their quality historically accurate work in this area. They produce several types of pottery: REDWARE, both plain and decorated SALT-GLAZED STONEWARE, and GREEN GLAZED WARES. All of the pieces created at Westmoore Pottery are made to be used, and all glazes are absolutely lead free. Instead, they aim to achieve a look as close as possible to the pottery of the early days, without using a lead glaze. They also do not "age" their pots.
David and Mary’s pottery and glass artifacts have been used by over 100 museums as furnishings for historic buildings and for a number of historically based films. In fact, Westmoore Pottery not only graces the halls of several museum collections, but also enriches many private collections across the United States. Westmoore Pottery's work has been widely exhibited and written about. The Farrells have earned Early American Life magazine's approval as being among the best traditional craftsmen today. The pottery made at Westmoore Pottery in the early years was very loosely influenced by old forms that came from a very broad range, both in time and location. Older pieces of Westmoore Pottery are beginning to be more and more sought after by collectors looking for a representative sampling of the area’s work. The most sought after by collectors of older pottery seem to be those made prior to 1990, i.e discontinued shapes or colors, and the more unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.
David and Mary love the fact that Westmoore Pottery is a small business and have
all intentions of keeping it that way. Potters David and Mary Farrell do
everything, from making the pots, to waiting on customers in the retail store, Stop by and visit with David and Mary of Westmoore Pottery at 4622 Busbee Road, Seagrove, NC 27341. They maintain a full-time retail shop which is where they sell the majority of our work. They make thousands of different items and typically unload at least one kiln load of pottery each week during the year.
Their main building encloses both retail shop and work space. Visitors are always free to watch them work and ask questions. Their hours are Monday through Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Closed on Sundays. In addition, the shop closes every year from December 24-January 17th to celebrate the holidays.
Westmoore Pottery 4622 Busbee Rd, Seagrove NC 27341 Map It 910-464-3700
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studied pottery in college, as well as done several apprenticeships with working
potters, by the time they met at nearby Jugtown Pottery. The area appealed to
them, so the Farrells established Westmoore Pottery just a few miles away, in
the Westmoore Community near Seagrove. Their business has been a full-time
occupation and realized dream for the Farrells since that beginning over 30
years ago.
Though David and Mary are truly potters at heart, they also love handblown glass! For
over twenty years they have sold historical glassware that compliments their
pottery, both visually and in period-appropriateness. Various craftsmen have
blown glass pieces for them over the years, from master craftsmen
in Sweden to Germany.
to mopping the floors! It gives them great joy to be able to present to the
American public a product that still has the heart, soul, and pride of the
makers
behind it.
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