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.
Moorcroft Green Glazed Flamminian Ware Cannister Vase 1913
By William Moorcroft
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare Moorcroft for Liberty & Co green glazed flamminian ware cannister shaped vase dated 1913. Flamminian Ware was produced between 1905 and 1915 and was produced for renowned...
Ceramic
Circa 1935 Deep Centerpiece Bowl by Moorcroft, England
By William Moorcroft
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1935 deep centerpiece bowl in the "Freesia" pattern by Moorcroft, England. A gorgeous example made during the William Moorcroft period (WM monogram). Tube-lined flowers on cela...
Ceramic, Celadon
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
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...
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.
Ceramic
Vintage William Moorcroft Leaf Berry Pattern Art Pottery Cabinet Vase
By William Moorcroft
Located in Forest Grove, PA
An early William Moorcroft "Potter to H.M. the Queen" Leaf and Berry Art Pottery cabinet vase. Excellent condition with fine line tubing and featuring stylized natural forms. We thin...
Ceramic
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...
Pottery
Pre-1928 William Moorcroft Vase in the "Pomegranate" Pattern
By William Moorcroft
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pre-1928 William Moorcroft Vase in the "Pomegranate" pattern, England. Stunningly graceful, this monumental vase has a large swag of pomegranates, berries & leaves surrounding the up...
Ceramic
$864Sale Price|20% Off
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...
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...
Pottery
Large "Seashell" Shaped Centerpiece Bowl by Murano Glass
By Murano 5
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous extra large "seashell" shaped centerpiece bowl by Murano Glassworks of Venice, circa 2000s. This handcrafted piece is characterized by a unique "cartoccio" design and ivory ...
Blown Glass
Large Lalique Crystal Bowl Centerpiece
By René Lalique
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand crafted Lalique centerpiece decorative bowl in a wide open "V" form shape. The bowl is embellished by engraved frosted doves and large scrolls design details. Maker'...
Crystal
Galle Mold Blown Berry Vase
By Gallé
Located in Sarasota, FL
Galle mold blown ( souffle) vase. Dark brown over reddish, yellow and brown base. Sharp definition of leaves and berries.
Glass
$588
H 2.96 in W 3.55 in D 2.56 in
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...
Pottery
Murano Glass Centerpiece Bowl, Italy, circa 1950
Located in New York, NY
A remarkable large hand-blown Murano glass bowl crafted in a rich emerald green hue, featuring the refined bullicante technique—an intricate process in which controlled air bubbles a...
Murano Glass
Moorcroft Pottery Vase, circa 1920
Located in New York, NY
Decorated with mauve, plum and blue blossoms against a cobalt ground.
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
Jugendstil Centerpiece Bowl by Joh. Loetz Witwe, c. 1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) centerpiece bowl, by Joh. Loetz Witwe, in iridescent purple and gold glass with a ruffled rim, seated in a patinated bronze mount with floral and foliate d...
Bronze
Large Irridescent Centerpiece Bowl by Murano Glass
By Murano 5
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous extra large blue iridescent centerpiece bowl by Murano Glassworks of Venice, circa 1970s. This handcrafted piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks an...
Blown Glass
Moorcroft Florian Ware Vase, circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
For James Macintyre, glazed earthenware, decorated with tulips, signed W. MOORCROFT/ DES., printed maker's mark.
Porcelain
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
Royal Doulton Pomegranate Pattern Art Deco Ceramic Bottle Vase, Shape C947
Located in Nottingham, GB
A tall cylindrical neck rises cleanly from a broad, bulbous body to give this bottle vase its bold Art Deco silhouette. Decorated in the vibrant Pomegranate design, the shoulder is p...
Ceramic
Gold Centerpiece Bowl Basket
Located in New York, NY
A great large metal bowl basket with a twig-like design in a bright gold hue, circa 21st century. Bowl makes a beautiful standalone piece, centerpiece...
Metal
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...
Pottery
Vintage Green Glazed Ceramic Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage green glazed ceramic vase presents a full, spherical silhouette, with a broad, rounded shoulder that tapers gently to a narrow, flat foot and a short, softly flared neck...
Ceramic
Circa 1930s "Pomegranate" Pattern Low Vase by Moorcroft, England
By William Moorcroft
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1930s low vase by Moorcroft, "Pomegranate" pattern, England. The acclaimed Pomegranate pattern by William Moorcroft, festooned with pomegranates, berries & leaves around th...
Ceramic
Circa 1930 "Pomegranate" Design Large Vase by Moorcroft, England
By William Moorcroft
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1930 large vase "Pomegranate" design by Moorcroft, England. Designed by William Moorcroft, the body festooned with pomegranates & berries among leaves, all in fall colors again...
Ceramic
Sold
H 5.5 in W 5 in D 5 in
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 ...
Pottery
Sold
H 10.24 in W 4.73 in D 2.37 in
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...
Pottery
William Moorcroft James MacIntyre Blue Cornflower Twin Handled Vase 1898
By William Moorcroft
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare James MacIntyre & Sons art pottery twin handled vase decorated in the blue cornflower pattern by William Moorcroft (British, 1872-1945) and date...
Ceramic
Sold
H 2.76 in Dm 7.09 in
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...
Ceramic
William Moorcroft MacIntyre Art Nouveau Tube Lined Rose Pattern Vase
By William Moorcroft
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Art Nouveau James MacIntyre & Co. vase with tube lined rose garland designs by William Moorcroft (British, 1872-1945) and dating from 1907. William Moorcroft...
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 ...
Pottery
Sold
H 11.82 in Dm 3.06 in
William Moorcroft MacIntyre Art Nouveau Elegantly Shaped Blue Lilac Pottery Jug
By William Moorcroft
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Art Nouveau James MacIntyre & Co. rare Florian Ware tall elegantly shaped handled jug decorated with tube lined lilac flowers designed by William Moorcroft (English, 1872-1945) and d...
Earthenware
William Moorcroft MacIntyre Art Nouveau Blue Trees Pattern Pottery Jug
By William Moorcroft
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Art Nouveau James MacIntyre & Co. rare Florian Ware tall elegantly shaped handled jug decorated with tube lined tall blue trees designed by William Moorcroft (English, 1872-1945) and...
Earthenware
William Moorcroft MacIntyre Art Nouveau Elegant Blue Carnation Pottery Vase
By William Moorcroft
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Art Nouveau James MacIntyre & Co. Florian Ware tall elegantly shaped vase decorated with tube lined carnations designed by William Moorcroft (English, 1872-1945) and dating from arou...
Earthenware
William Moorcroft Macintyre Art Nouveau Rare 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 rare ‘Dahlia’ variant design by William Moorcroft and dating from 1903. William Moorcr...
Pottery
Moorcroft Art Pottery Vase
By William Moorcroft
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Moorcroft Art pottery vase Art deco vase Artist William Moorcroft a promegranate on ocher and blue vase circa 1920 no cracks no chips Region manufacture United Kingdom impresse...
Ceramic
Sold
H 8 in W 6 in D 6 in
Moorcroft Pottery Queens Choice Large Ginger Jar 769/8, Emma Bossons, circa 2000
By William Moorcroft
Located in Banner Elk, NC
First quality 8" Moorcroft Pottery in Queens Choice large ginger jar, 769/8 by Emma Bosson, circa 2000 in excellent condition. Produced by the renowned Mo...
Ceramic
Art Nouveau William Moorcroft Florian Daisy Planter/ Jardinière
By William Moorcroft
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
William Moorcroft Florian ware planter/jardinière. Decorated in the Daisies design. Maker's marks to the underside, printed, 'FLORIAN WARE JAS M...
Pottery