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William Moorcroft Furniture

British, 1872-1945

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 William Moorcroft pottery, vases, serveware and more on 1stDibs.

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Creator: William Moorcroft
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...
Category

1910s English Art Deco Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

William Moorcoft for James MacIntyre Fish Pattern Silver Mounted Biscuit Jar
By William Moorcroft
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish and finely made James Macintyre & Co ceramic biscuit jar mounted with a silver-plated handle and decorated with fish by renowned English born potter William Moorcroft ...
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Early 1900s English Art Nouveau Antique William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Large 10" Antique Art deco William Moorcroft "Pomegranate" Pottery Bowl 1920
By William Moorcroft
Located in Portland, OR
A good early & large antique Art Deco William Moorcroft "pomegranate" pottery bowl, circa 1920. A vibrant and crisp tube-lined pottery bowl by the master Art Nouveau potter & designer, William Moorcroft, the bowl is a very nice early example of the pomegranate pattern, with rich colors and a bold design of pomegranates to the center and leaves and fruit to the outside. The bowl having a blue facsimile signature to the underside "William Moorcroft" and the impressed marks "Moorcroft Burslem...
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1920s English Art Deco Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

William Moorcroft Stamped & Signed Vintage Pomegranate & Cobalt Blue Design Vase
By William Moorcroft
Located in Sherborne, GB
A stunning, William Moorcroft, Burslem, England vase in superb condition, signed, stamped made in England with impressed markings and the addition of “Potter to H.M the Queen”. The ...
Category

1910s English Art Deco Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

William Moorcroft, England Stamped and Signed Vintage Pomegranate Pattern Vase
By William Moorcroft
Located in Sherborne, GB
A gorgeous William Moorcroft, Burslem, England pottery vase, this perfectly formed vase is clearly signed on the base with impressed makers marks and hand signed in cobalt blue glaze...
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1910s English Art Deco Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Early William Moorcroft Anemone Bowl & Lid Both Signed & Stamped
By William Moorcroft
Located in Sherborne, GB
Beautifuly decorated 5 inch Moorcroft Anemone lidded pot. This trinket dresser box, covered lidded candy dish, features the anemone pattern on a cre...
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1950s English Other Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Moorcroft Vintage Pomegranate Pattern Vase Stamped & Signed Walter Moorcroft
By William Moorcroft
Located in Sherborne, GB
A sweet vintage vase from Moorcroft, featuring a stunning pomegranate pattern in beautiful cobalt blue. The piece is signed by and stamped Moorcroft, made in England, 32 adding to it...
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1940s English Other Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Moorcroft Vintage Stamped & Signed Vase Decorated In The Poppy Pattern c1940’s
By William Moorcroft
Located in Sherborne, GB
This pretty vintage English vase is by William Mooorcroft, Burslem, England. The vase features the poppy pattern on Moorcroft’s signature, stunning cobalt blue ground and red poppies...
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1940s English Other Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

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...
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20th Century English William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

A sweet little William Moorcroft Leaf and Berry vase
By William Moorcroft
Located in London, GB
William Moorcroft. A sweet little colorful Leaf and Berry vase in wonderful original condition.
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1910s English Arts and Crafts Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

William Moorcroft Poppy Vase c1925
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : A William Moorcroft poppy vase Date : c1925 Origin : Burslem, England Features : Indigi-blue ground with five large poppies. Marks : WM sign...
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1920s British Adam Style Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

William Moorcroft Vase - Moonlit Blue c1925
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : William Moorcroft Moonlit Blue vase Date : c1925 Origin : Burslem, England Bowl Features : Baluster form with everted rim. Deep and pa...
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1920s British Art Nouveau Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

William Moorcroft Tudric Pewter Mounted Tazza c1915
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : A William Moorcroft Pomegranate Pattern Pewter Mounted Tazza Date : c1915 Period : George V Marks :The pottery tazza is signed with impressed marks and blue monogram. The ...
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1910s British Art Nouveau Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Moorcroft Pottery Large Flambe Orchid Ginger Jar, c1955
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Moorcroft Pottery Large Flambe Orchid Ginger Jar, c1955 Additional Information: Heading : Moorcroft Pottery Large Flambe Orchid Ginger Jar Date : c1955 Origin : Burslem, Staffordsh...
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20th Century English William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Art Deco White Moorcroft Art Pottery Vase in Claremont Pattern with Toadstools
By William Moorcroft
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This small bulbous shaped art pottery vase was done by William Moorcroft of England in approximately 1920 in a period amArt Deco style. The vase is done with a white salt glaze...
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Early 20th Century English Art Deco William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

William Moorcroft Salt Glaze Anemone Vase, circa 1938
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
William Moorcroft Salt Glaze Anemone Vase, circa 1938 Additional Information: Date: 1935-40 Origin: Burslem, England Bowl Features: Baluster form w...
Category

20th Century English William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Rare Moorcroft Banded Flambe Jug, circa 1930
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Rare Moorcroft Banded Flambe Jug, circa 1930 Additional Information: Date: c1930 Origin: Burslem, England Marks: Blue Moorcroft and WM signature on base, Impressed Moorcroft S...
Category

20th Century English William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

William Moorcroft MacIntyre Art Nouveau Blue Daisy Pattern Tobacco Jar
By William Moorcroft
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Art Nouveau James MacIntyre & Co lidded tobacco jar decorated with tubelined daisies designed by William Moorcroft (English, 1872-1945) and dating from around 1900. William Moorcroft...
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Early 1900s English Art Nouveau Antique William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Antique Moorcroft Art Pottery Candlesticks in the Wisteria Pattern
By William Moorcroft
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of art pottery candlesticks were made by the well known Moorcroft Pottery factory of England and date to approximately 1920 and done in their signature style. The candlesti...
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Early 20th Century English Art Deco William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

William Moorcroft Liberty & Co Forget Me Not and Rose Pattern Art Pottery Bowl
By William Moorcroft
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish art pottery bowl made for Liberty & Co decorated with tube lined Forget Me Not’s and Rose’s forming garlands around the body of the bowl by William Moorcroft (British, 1872...
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Early 1900s English Art Nouveau Antique William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

William Moorcroft Macintyre Art Nouveau Blue Dahlia Pattern Goblet
By William Moorcroft
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Art Nouveau James MacIntyre & Co. Florian Ware goblet decorated with tube lined decoration in a ‘Dahlia’ variant design by William Moorcroft and dating from 1903. William Moorcroft s...
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Early 1900s English Art Nouveau Antique William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Early William Moorcroft Pottery Large Dish in Freesia Pattern, circa 1935
By William Moorcroft
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good early example of a large diameter dish or shallow bowl made by William Moorcroft, of Moorcroft Pottery in the Freesia pattern and dating to circa 1935. A very ...
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Mid-20th Century English Art Deco William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

William Moorcroft Rare Claremont Mushroom Design Art Pottery Jug Dated 1914
By William Moorcroft
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare William Moorcroft Claremont pattern jug of tall conical shape with a moulded handle and funnel shaped top with large pouring spout. The jug ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

William Moorcroft MacIntyre Art Nouveau Tube Lined Florian Ware Loving Cup
By William Moorcroft
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Art Nouveau James MacIntyre & Co. Florian Ware three-handled flared loving cup decorated with tube lined floral designs by William Moorcroft and dating fr...
Category

Early 1900s English Art Nouveau Antique William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Antique William Moorcroft Art Pottery Tulip Patterned Vase with Lustre Glaze
By William Moorcroft
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This art pottery vase was done by the Moorcroft Pottery company of England in circa 1920 with a pastel green ground with a rare tulip pattern and a light lustre over glaze. This vase...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

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Previously Available Items
William Moorecroft Large Signed Vase Decorated in the Wisteria Design c1940’s
By William Moorcroft
Located in Sherborne, GB
A rare, elegantly shaped, large, William Moorcroft Wisteria and plum patterned signed vase. The vase has a stunning cobalt blue ground with yellow, pink a...
Category

1940s English Other Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

Pottery

A William Moorcroft Pottery Ginger Jar and Cover, c1918
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
A William Moorcroft Pottery Ginger Jar and Cover, c1918 Additional Information: Heading : A William Moorcroft Pottery Ginger Jar and Cover Date : Circa 1918 Origin : Burslem, Staffo...
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20th Century English Art Nouveau William Moorcroft Furniture

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Pottery

William Moorcroft Pottery Vase Moonlit Blue c1925
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : William Moorcroft Moonlit Blue vase Date : c1925 Origin : Burslem, England Bowl Features : Baluster form with everted rim. Deep and pa...
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1920s British Art Nouveau Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

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Large William Moorcroft Flambe Orchids Vase c1935
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Large William Moorcroft Flambe Orchids vase Date : c1935 Origin : Burslem, England Bowl Features : Large ovoid vase with eveted rim. Flambe ...
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1930s British Art Nouveau Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

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William Moorcroft Wisteria Plum Vase c1940
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : William Moorcroft pottery Wisteria Plum vase Date : c1940 Origin : Burslem, England Bowl Features : Baluster form with wisteria plum decoration. Marks : Stamped MADE IN ENG...
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William Moorcroft Pomegranate Pattern Biscuit Barrel c1930
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : William Moorcroft Pomegranate pattern biscuit barrel Date : c1930 Origin : Burslem, England Bowl Features : Blue ground with polychrome pomegranate decoration - hammered pe...
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1930s British Art Nouveau Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

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Pottery

Signed Moorcroft Hibiscus Cobalt Art Pottery Vase Circa 1950 England
By William Moorcroft
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This signed art pottery vase was done by the Moorcroft Pottery company of England in circa 1950 using their signature deep cobalt blue ground and done in the 'Hibiscus' flower patter...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Art Deco William Moorcroft Furniture

Materials

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William Moorcroft CORNFLOWER ON WHITE GROUND VASE C.1914
By William Moorcroft
Located in Stourbridge, West Midlands
A rare and superbly decorated Cornflower vase on a white ground that is dated 1914. Crisp bold colours, clear decoration and painted perfectly to the shape. An excellent example of t...
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1910s British Arts and Crafts Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

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William Moorcroft REVIVED CORNFLOWER VASE C.1912
By William Moorcroft
Located in Stourbridge, West Midlands
A fantastic example of Cornflower on a beautiful shape that will date to 1912. The decoration and colour on this vase is as nice as you'll find with good pale crisp colours. GUARANTE...
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1910s British Arts and Crafts Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

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William Moorcroft Monumental Pomegranate Pattern Vase c1930
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : William Moorcroft pomegranate pattern vase Date : c1930 Origin : Burslem, England Bowl Features : Baluster form with pomegranate decoration Marks : William Moorcroft signat...
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1930s British Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

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William Moocroft Very Large Pomegranate Pattern Vase c1930
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : William Moorcroft pomegranate pattern vase Date : c1930 Origin : Burslem, England Bowl Features : Inverted baluster form with pomegranate decoration Marks : William Moorcro...
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1930s British Art Nouveau Vintage William Moorcroft Furniture

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James Macintyre Florian Ware Vase Designed by William Moorcroft c1900
By William Moorcroft
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : William Moorcroft Florian ware vase Date : c1900 Origin : Burslem, Staffordshire, England Bowl Features : Baluster form decorated in green ...
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Early 1900s British Art Nouveau Antique William Moorcroft Furniture

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William Moorcroft furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

William Moorcroft furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of William Moorcroft furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 82 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by William Moorcroft were created in the Art Nouveau style in united kingdom during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Moorcroft Pottery, William Hair Haseler, and Archibald Knox. Prices for William Moorcroft furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $295 and can go as high as $6,429, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,934.
Questions About William Moorcroft Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    To tell how old Moorcroft pottery is, turn it upside down and look at the maker's mark. The wording, size and font of the marking can help you determine the rough age of a piece, as Moorcroft has changed its backstamps many times over the years. In 1990, Moorcroft also started adding a symbol called a cipher to its pottery. Each year has its own cipher, making it easy to determine the age of these newer pieces. For example, an arrow indicates a production year of 1990, while a pineapple stands for 2005. You can find a full listing of ciphers for each year and images of Moorcroft's various maker's marks on trusted online resources. Should you need any assistance with the dating process, enlist the help of a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. Explore a variety of Moorcroft pottery on 1stDibs.

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