Part of the draw, at least for many art pottery collectors, is the backstory most lines offer. The richer the history, the more exciting the finds. Moorcroft Pottery is no exception. In 1897, a young man, William Moorcroft, was creating beautiful pottery pieces for James McIntyre & Co. For a while, it was an ideal partnership until Moorcroft began signing his own works with either his signature or initials. The argument could be made that it was reasonable; after all, Moorcroft had won several awards, including a gold medal at the St. Louis International Exhibition. Soon, though, it wasn’t anything McIntyre wished to continue pursuing, especially because Moorcroft refused to cease signing his name to the works. The two soon had a falling out and Moorcroft and a few other employees left to create their own company in 1913.
Moorcroft Pottery’s Long History
The company itself became well respected and highly sought after, due to the incredible talent of the company’s founder. The 
company itself remained in the family until the mid-1980s and while the future may not be certain, there’s no denying the incredible artistry found in Moorcroft art pottery. What we’re left with today are striking artistic masterpieces that are elegant, vivid and intricate in detail.
Just Art Pottery maintains a varied selection from this esteemed European pottery company, including a 1902 Florian Tulips and Hearts Handled vase. Its magnificent presence is part whimsical, part romantic and completely beautiful. The vase is 12” high, which easily allows it to command. The golds and blues and contrasted with the subtle white tracing of the floral effects and leaves.
The Moorcroft Hibiscus Compote brings together two of my favorite things: the hibiscus flower and the pedestal that’s often part of many art pottery designs. The rich high gloss glaze is an added bonus. In this 1949 design, you’ll notice the rich emerald green that covers the bowl with a multi-toned Hibiscus placed squarely in the bottom of the vessel. For contrast, the pedestal is a rich, glossy black that adds a more contemporary look and feel. This mint condition compote stands 4” tall and is 6 ½” wide. It’s classic Moorcroft.
Moorcroft Pottery Availability
If it’s subtle color elements and distinction you’re looking for, you really should consider Moorcroft Pottery. Many of the earlier, higher quality pieces are in museums, which means limited offerings available for collectors. In fact, the Victoria & Albert museum holds some of the most significant pieces (Moorcroft was appointed the Queen’s official pottery in 1928) and other prestigious museums also have permanent collections. We’re fortunate in that Just Art Pottery offers several pieces from this refined collection and invite you to browse our Moorcroft Pottery.
