William Moorcroft (1872–1945), the founder of the celebrated British art-pottery company that shares his last name, was both an aesthete and a technical innovator. Along with William de Morgan, he is regarded as one of the greatest ceramists of the Arts and Crafts movement, yet Moorcroft’s singular style is heavily inflected with the lush naturalism of the Art Nouveau school of art and design.
The son of a decorative pottery painter, Moorcroft was born in Staffordshire, the center of English ceramics-making, studied at the Wedgwood Institute and in 1897 joined the local pottery manufacturer James Macintyre & Co. as a designer. After a year, he was put in charge of the company’s art-pottery studio, and there he developed a new style of wares named “Florian,” made with a technique called tube-lining, or slip-trailing. In this method, decorative motifs are outlined with a thin, raised border produced by piping a thread of clay onto the body of a vessel — much like squeezing toothpaste from a tube.
Moorcroft, who took the unusual step of signing his ceramics, would go on to win numerous international awards. In 1913, backed by the London department store Liberty & Co., he left Macintyre to open his own workshop. Queen Mary, wife of King George V, gave Moorcroft her Royal Warrant in 1928. Shortly before he died in 1945, his son, Walter Moorcroft (1917–2002), took over as head of the firm. The pottery company is still in business in Staffordshire, with a design department headed by Rachel Bishop.
William Moorcroft’s ceramics are noted for their colorful, ebullient (and often slightly surreal) decorations depicting stylized natural forms — flowers, toadstools, fruit (pomegranate is a favorite among collectors), insects and landscapes. Most Moorcroft wares are finished with a glossy overglaze. Blue-and-white and pastel shades were generally used as underglazes on early Moorcroft pieces, and he later developed a rich, ruddy background glaze he called “flambé.”
Moorcroft art pottery has a rich, warm and inviting look — a comforting aesthetic that explains their enduring appeal.
Find antique and vintage Moorcroft pottery, vases, serveware and more on 1stDibs.
Moorcroft Pottery Big Poppy Vase
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large Moorcroft Pottery big poppy vase. Walter Moorcroft era. The base bears impressed marks and a blue glaze script Walter Moorcroft signature. ...
Pottery
Vintage English Moorcroft Limited Edition Vase with Toucan
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking tropical colored English vase crafted in pottery in classic form and hand decorated in fauna and flora . Signed Moorcroft made in England, initialed by the artist and number...
Porcelain
$245Sale Price|30% Off
Mid Century British Walter Mooncroft Hibiscus Flower Baluster Bud Vase 5"
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid Century Moorcroft pottery vase in the Hibiscus pattern. The vase features large blue and yellow hibiscus flowers with green leaves on a cream-yellow-colored ground. It was produc...
Porcelain
MOORCROFT - 'Clematis' - Vintage Hand Painted Ceramic Vase - U.K. - Circa 1950's
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Chatham, ON
MOORCROFT - 'Clematis' - Vintage Arts & Crafts ceramic vase - hand painted with a blue background - impressed stamps to the base - U.K. - circa 1950-86. Excellent condition - no lo...
Ceramic
Moorcroft pottery 'Otters' ginger jar, designed by Sian Leeper
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Moorcroft pottery 'Otters' ginger jar, designed by Sian Leeper. This specific design was produced in a limited edition around 2004 or 2005. The jar features a tub-lined decoration, a...
Pottery
Vintage William Moorcroft Poppy Patterned Art Pottery Vase
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This art pottery vase was done by the Moorcroft Pottery company of England in circa 1939 using their signature deep cobalt blue ground and done in the 'Poppy' pattern. The vase is cl...
Pottery
Circa 1938 Large Scale Vase "Anemone" Design by Moorcroft, England
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1938 large scale vase "Anemone" design by Moorcroft, England. Signed: Wm Moorcroft signature stamp; Potter H.M. The Queen; Made in England; and...
Ceramic, Pottery
William Moorcroft. A small Anemone blue vase signed H M Made in England.
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in London, GB
William Moorcroft. A small Anemone blue vase signed H M Made in England.
Pottery
Paul Hilditch Moorcroft Limited Edition London Architectural Riverscape Vase
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning Moorcroft London Architectural limited edition vase recording Docklands to The City of London from the embankment by Paul Hilditch and conceived in 2011. This large tall bulbous vase is richly glazed with tour-de-force tubelining skills with three scenes framed between tall ornate Victorian gas lights. The scenes run from Docklands with the river Thames in the foreground with the Thames Barrier and with the Dome overshadowed by the tall and iconic architectural buildings which make up the famous Docklands skyline. The second scene shows the large dome of St Pauls Cathedral with an iconic London red double decker bus in the foreground with the third scene showing one of the most iconic buildings of modern London the Gherkin set amidst the tall City of London buildings. All in all a spectacular and exceptional vase not only by its sheer size but the incredible way it has been decorated. It is recorded by Moorcroft as ' Every once in a while, Moorcroft create a vase that is magical. Paul Hilditch’s magnificent London is a celebration of England’s capital, framing the new architecture of the city with wonderful Victorian gas lamps...
Pottery
A Moorcroft "Blakeney Mallow" ginger jar, Art Nouveau-style pottery.
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
A Moorcroft "Blakeney Mallow" ginger jar, Art Nouveau-style pottery. The jar was designed by Sarah Brummell-Bailey and typically dates to around 2001. It features the characteristic ...
Pottery
Vintage William Moorcroft 'Banded Wisteria' Patterned Art Pottery Vase
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This art pottery vase was done by the Moorcroft Pottery company of England in circa 1939 using their signature deep cobalt blue ground and done in the 'Banded Wisteria' pattern. The ...
Pottery
Vintage Moorcroft Flambe Glazed Leaf and Berry Art Pottery Vase
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This art pottery vase was done by the Moorcroft Pottery company of England in circa 1939 using their 'flambe' glaze with their 'Leaf & Berry' pattern. The one side of the vase is don...
Pottery
A Miniature Moorcroft Vase, 2 1/8"-inches high, Made in England Floral Design.
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A nice miniature Moorcroft vase, made in England, floral design. The vase is a typical blue background with two flowers one on either side. The bottom is marked Moorcroft Made in Eng...
Pottery
William Moorcroft. A sweet little Leaf and Berry vase in wonderful condition
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in London, GB
William Moorcroft. A sweet little colorful Leaf and Berry vase in wonderful original condition.
Pottery
Vintage William Moorcroft Pomegranate Art Pottery Vase
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This art pottery vase was done by the Moorcroft Pottery company of England in circa 1939 using their signature deep cobalt blue ground and done in the 'Pomegranate' pattern. The vase...
Pottery
Vintage William Moorcroft Pomegranate Art Pottery Vase
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This art pottery vase was done by the Moorcroft Pottery company of England in circa 1939 using their signature deep cobalt blue ground and done in the 'Pomegranate' pattern. The vase...
Pottery
Large William Moorcroft Art Pottery Pomegranate Lidded Ginger Jar or Vase
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large lidded ginger jar was made by the Moorcroft Pottery company of England in circa 1935 with the pomegranate patterned glaze. This art ...
Pottery
Art Deco Era William Moorcroft Pomegranate Lidded Dresser or Vanity Jar or Box
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This art pottery dresser jar or box was made by the Moorcroft Pottery company of England in circa 1935 and done in their pomegranate glaze pattern. This circular jar has a hinged lid...
Pottery
Art Deco Era William Moorcroft Wavy Corn Art Pottery Vase
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This art pottery vase was done by the Moorcroft Pottery Company of England in circa 1939 and done in their rare 'Wavy Corn' pattern. The background glaze is done in pastel blue and a...
Pottery
Pair of Antique Moorcorft Art Pottery Vases with Flambe in Leaf & Berry Pattern
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of art pottery vases were done by the renowned Moorcroft Pottery Co. of England in approximately 1920, in their period Art Deco style. These vases are decorated with the Mo...
Pottery
Japanese Mid Century Patinaed Bronze Bud Vase
Located in Malibu, CA
Vintage Japanese bronze Bud vase with dramatic form & color. The finish created with chemical etching and metal leaf. Excellent condition,...
Bronze
$681
H 7.68 in W 3.65 in D 3.55 in
A G Sangwell Martin Brothers Pottery Grotesque Dragons Tribute Art Pottery Vase
By Martin Brothers
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and rare Martin Brothers tribute vase by A G Sangwell, but recorded by the collector as A E Sangwell the owner of a hardware shop at 25 Featherstone Road (confirmed throug...
Pottery
Toucan Vase Emaux de Longwy Limited Edition
Located in Paris, FR
Vase Toucan colorful, Emaux de Longwy from France, not waterproof vase, decorative vase, exceptional piece in limited edition of 50 pieces. Eartenware handcrafted.
Earthenware
Guido Gambone Midcentury Italian Linear Pattern Art Pottery Vase
By Guido Gambone
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish vintage Italian art pottery vase of compressed rounded slab form and slightly flared in shape with the readily recognizable linear pattern by Guido Gambone (1909-1969). The...
Pottery
Large William Moorcroft Wisteria Plum Vase, c1935
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Large William Moorcroft Wisteria Plum Vase, c1935 Additional Information: Heading : Large William Moorcroft pottery vase Date : c1935 Origin : Burslem, Engl...
Pottery
Art Pottery Vase by Ramona Rowley
By Ramona Rowley
Located in Water Mill, NY
Art pottery vase by listed California artist Ramona Rowley.
Pottery
Gouda Dutch Schoonhoven Floral Painted Art Pottery Vase
By Gouda Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish Dutch hand painted art pottery vase decorated with stylized floral designs by Gouda Schoonhoven and dating from around 1920. The well potted bottled shaped vase is of small...
Pottery
$640
H 3.5 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
William Moorcroft Burslem Vintage Pomegranate Pattern, Stamped and Signed Vase
By William Moorcroft
Located in Sherborne, GB
This sweet sized vintage vase features the pomegranate design on a dark cobalt blue background. It was designed by William Moorcroft and produced at Burslem. The base is reassuringly...
Pottery
French Provencal Hand-Painted Ceramic Pitcher Vase
Located in Miami, FL
A fine hand-crafted ceramic pitcher vase from the Provence region of France. This French ceramic pitcher vase is very well made using clay from the region. Hand-painted then glazed...
Ceramic
$197Sale Price|50% Off
H 7.09 in Dm 6.3 in
1960s Handcrafted Cloisonné Ginger Jar with Chrysanthemum Design
Located in Glasgow, GB
A Large Cloisonné Ginger Jar handcrafted by skilled Chinese artisans in the 1960s. This impressive ginger jar showcases exquisite Chinese cloisonné work. Finely decorated with a s...
Brass, Enamel
Vintage Japanese Porcelain Ginger Jar
Located in Delray Beach, FL
This Vintage Japanese Porcelain Ginger Jar features a striking hand-painted bamboo design, signed by the artist in Japanese. Its mid-20th-century Asian craftsmanship adds a touch of ...
Porcelain
$2,310
H 44 in W 22 in D 22 in
Chinese Qianlong Porcelain Lidded Dragon Vases Urns Pottery Ginger Jars
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Come view in our antiques showroom in Hertfordshire, just 25 mins north of London Stunning pair of Chinese Qianlong style porcelain ginger jars Large pair standing in at almost four ...
Porcelain
Moorcroft Vase, England 1997
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Culver City, CA
Moorcroft Vase England, 1997 Rare Moorcroft pottery vase in the ‘Crown Imperial’ pattern designed by Rachel Bishop dated 1997. Tube-lined decoration of pink and blue flowers, on a cr...
Earthenware
Antique Pair of Arts & Crafts Moorcroft Art Pottery Vases, circa 1910
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Arts and Crafts pair of vase by Moorcroft offer art pottery construction with hand painted floral design, maker mark as photographed, d...
Pottery
Moorcroft Anemone 'Blue Ground' Pair of Candlesticks, 1999
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
Heading : Moorcroft Anemone (Blue Ground) pair of candlesticks 1999. Date : 1999. Origin : Burslem, England. Marks : both impressed Moorcroft - ma...
Pottery
Moorcroft For Liberty & Co Pair Purple Lustre Glazed Art Pottery Vases
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning pair Art Deco Moorcroft blue/purple lustre glazed art pottery vases made for renowned London retailers Liberty & Co and dating from around 1920. The ceramic vases are of simple bottle shape standing raised on a narrow round foot with round lower bodies with a narrow neck with a slightly flared top. The body of the vases are decorated in rich blue/purple lustre glazes with fine bird egg speckling within the glaze. Both have pink glazed bases and have impressed MOORCROFT marks and are numbered. These vases were retailed by Liberty & Co in London and some of the pieces from the same collection bear...
Ceramic
Moorcroft For Liberty & Co Green Lustre Glazed Art Pottery Vase
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very finely made Art Deco Moorcroft green lustre glazed art pottery vase made for renowned London retailers Liberty & Co and dating from around 1920. The ceramic vase is of simple shallow bulbous form standing raised on a narrow round foot rim and is decorated in wonderful green lustre glazes. The vase has impressed MOORCROFT marks to the base and is numbered 104. These vases were retailed by Liberty & Co in London and some of the pieces from the same collection bear...
Ceramic
Large Moorcroft 'Parramore' Vase by Rachel Bishop, 2002
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Rachel Bishop for Moorcroft pottery, 'Parramore' a large prestige vase, of baluster-form, the tube-lined surface creating a leaded window with day and ...
Ceramic
Vintage William Moorcroft White Art Pottery Vase with an Iris or Orchid Motif
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This art pottery vase was done by the Moorcroft Pottery company of England in circa 1939 using a matte white or cream ground with an Iris or Orchid pattern in vivid blues and purple....
Pottery
Sold
H 2.96 in Dm 3.25 in
New Stunning Small Moorcroft Pottery Flower Vase Floral Pattern Hand Painted
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for auction this new Moorcroft pottery small flower vase A very small vase, ideal for a single flower on a desk The condition is new and unboxed, it w...
Pottery
Sold
H 8.5 in W 6.75 in L 8.5 in
Moorcroft Queen Choice Large Centerpiece Vase Bowl Still Life Fruit Emma Bossons
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Superb hand painted Art Pottery Moorcroft twin handle Bonbonnieree of chalice form. Made in stoke-in-trent, England. Decorated by premier Moorcroft Artist Emma Bossons...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Sold
H 8.25 in W 5 in D 5 in
Moorcroft Pheasants Eye Pattern Large Flower Vase Hand Decorated Shirley Hayes
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Superb hand painted Art Pottery Moorcroft large flower vase of slightly waisted outline and narrow circular opening. Made in stoke-in-Trent, England. Decorated in the “Pheasants Eye” Pattern...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Sold
H 4.75 in W 7 in D 7 in
Moorcroft Queens Choice Large Flower Vase Bowl Still Life Fruit Emma Bossons
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Superb hand painted art pottery moorcroft large squat flower vase of typical bulbous outline. Made in stoke-in-trent, England. Decorated in the Queens Pattern by premier Moorcroft Artist Emma Bossons...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Sold
H 6.5 in W 7.25 in D 7.25 in
Moorcroft Queens Choice Large Jardinière Vase Bowl Still Life Fruit Emma Bossons
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Superb hand painted art pottery Moorcroft large plant jardinière of good size proportions. Made in Stoke-in-Trent, England. Decorated in the Queens Pattern by premier Moorcroft Artist Emma Bossons...
Ceramic, Porcelain