Pink Mortar

Mortar is colored by adding pigment to the mix. The finer pigment particles become a part of the mortar matrix as the mortar is mixed with water. The pigments do not dye the material but disperse and surround the material in the mortar once it's mixed.

Two blue flecks.

Made by Hand

These bricks were formed and fired by hand then loaded onto carts pulled by horses. This house was made by hand, the bricks rubbed by hand to create the wedges used below. The beautiful mortar is going soft.

Antique Mortar Mix

Feldspar and Quartz:

Red Glazed Brick & Mortar

This is my first spotting of the elusive red glazed brick. It's has a deep berry color. We've all seen stained rose color mortar (right?) but this is a red mortar. It was a very exciting morning.

The bottom row of these glazed bricks shows the surface has popped off. What's beneath was fired differently and will crumble quickly.

Stained mortar

Behind the finish of stained or tinted mortar:

Behind the Brick

Brick awaiting repointing on my back porch after being raked. Behind the fine mortar finish was a variety of small rocks which had me wondering about the mechanics of hand selection in 1912.

Stone on Stone

Exquisite foundation and retaining wall on Brannon.

Brick with Black Holes - Pop Quiz

How is it these bricks have black holes?

Check out the original mortar with its flecks of quartz and feldspar. It's almost 100 years old and remains perfect.

PEBBLES IN MORTAR