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.
William Moorcroft Pomegranate Patterned Art Pottery Teacup & Saucer Set #1 of 4
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This art pottery teacup and saucer set was done by the Moorcroft Pottery company of England in circa 1925 in their 'Pomegranate' pattern. Each duo is done in the Moorcroft signature ...
Pottery
Large William Moorcroft Pomegranate Patterned Art Pottery Teapot
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large art pottery teapot was done by the Moorcroft Pottery company of England in circa 1925 in their 'Pomagranite' pattern. The teapot is done usin...
Pottery
Frank Brangwyn Royal Doulton Art Deco Harvest Pattern Cup & Saucer
By Frank Brangwyn
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish and scarce Art Deco Royal Doulton cup and saucer decorated in a harvest pattern by renowned Welsh artist Sir Frank William Brangwyn (Belgia...
Pottery
Green Malachite Porcelain Coffee Teacup Saucer, England
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful English white porcelain coffee or teacup and saucer with a green malachite design and gold detailing on edge. Made in England.
Malachite
$193 / item
H 3.94 in W 5.12 in D 6.3 in
21 Century Porcelain Teapot, M.U.M., Natural Finishing, handcrafted, Kanz
By kanz
Located in Venezia, Veneto
Mum is a porcelain teapot with smooth geometric lines, and is natural to the touch. The CAP disappears on the top, and the profile retains its essential design. Porcelain teapot, mat...
Ceramic
Seletti "Hybrid-Isidora" Teacup with Saucer in Porcelain
By Seletti
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Porcelain
$350 / set
H 2.75 in Dm 6.25 in
Pink Etruscan Majolica Shell and Seaweed Ceramic Teacup and Saucer Set of 2
By Griffin, Smith & Hill
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of two Etruscan majolica teacups with matching saucers. Each piece is glazed in a beautiful pink, purple, green, brown and blue. The tea saucers (or b...
Ceramic, Paint
Thomas Wolfe Factory Z Lion Pattern English Teacup and Saucer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A scarce antique English Staffordshire bone china teacup and saucer hand decorated with a red lion by Thomas Wolfe (Factory Z) and dating from...
Porcelain
Castle Hedingham William II Medieval Style Art Pottery Jug
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Castle Hedingham medieval style pottery jug marked for William Rufus (William II, son of William the Conqueror) and made by Edward Bingham ...
Pottery
Contemporary Set of 2 Teacups and Saucer Hand Painted Porcelain
By Coralla Maiuri
Located in Roma, RM
Handcrafted in Italy from the finest porcelain, these Berry teacups and saucers are entirely decorated with a dotted pink enamel. Set of 2 teacups and saucers 10cl Piazza del Popolo, Berry collection Hand painted porcelain Made in Italy First introduced at Milan Design Week 2018, the Piazza del Popolo collection is named after a Roman landmark, at the heart of Roman everyday life, and inspired by traditional, simple Italian artisanal pottery yet decorated in a personal and elegant key. Each Coralla Maiuri product is entirely hand decorated. Each is a work of art. While ensuring consistency, they are never identical. Slight variations of decor and color from one to another are not only normal, but to be expected as a sign of their uniqueness. For large quantities, production lead time to be confirmed. Dishwasher and microwave oven safe.
Porcelain
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
Bellevue Rye Floral Design Art Pottery Teapot & Cover
By Rye Pottery
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare antique art pottery teapot and cover decorated with floral designs from the Bellevue pottery in Rye, Sussex and dating from the 19th century. Typical of Rye pottery...
Pottery
Tonala Pottery Teapot
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage Tonala Mexico folk art pottery teapot. Large size with beautiful hand painted designs of birds and flowers over a pale blue base glaze. Marked on the base.
Pottery
$220Sale Price|20% Off
H 5 in W 11 in D 8.75 in
Mid-Century Studio Pottery Tea Pot with Blue Lava Glaze
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-century studio pottery tea pot with blue lava glaze, circa 1970s. The pot is in very good vintage with no chips or cracks and measures 11" W x 8.7...
Pottery
William Moorcroft Pomegranate Patterned Art Pottery Creamer and Sugar Bowl Set
By Moorcroft Pottery
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This art pottery cream and sugar bowl set was done by the Moorcroft Pottery company of England in circa 1925 in their 'Pomegranate' pattern. T...
Pottery