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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
$853Sale 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
Moorcroft Pottery Vase, circa 1920
Located in New York, NY
Decorated with mauve, plum and blue blossoms against a cobalt ground.
Porcelain
$378
H 4.53 in Dm 2.96 in
Burmantofts Faience Ox Blood & Yellow Glazed Sun Burst Pattern Art Pottery Vase
By Burmantofts Pottery
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine Burmantofts Faience art pottery vase decorated with a sun burst pattern and dating from around 1890. The earthenware vase stands on a narrow round foot with a slightly recesse...
Earthenware
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
Moorcroft Flambe Orchid Vase, circa 1955
Located in New York, NY
Impressed marks and painted initials in blue.
Porcelain
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
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
Mid-Century, Vintage Walter Gerhards Vase
By Walter Gerhards
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Walter Gerhards KG was founded 1957 (registered in 1959) in Ransbach-Baumbach, by Walter Gerhards and his wife Elfriede Gerhards. In 1977 there were approximately 50 employees, later expanding up to 70 employees using six large electric ovens. Elfriede Gerhards managed the company whilst Walter Gerhards led the artistic and technical designs. Initially production focused on ceramic plant pots...
Ceramic
Sold|$995
H 4.5 in Dm 4 in
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...
Pottery
$100Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.5 in Dm 5 in
Vintage Handmade Nemadji Vase Minnesota Multicolored Stamped ceramic vase
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Handmade Nemadji Vase Minnesota Multicolored Stamped ceramic vase antique pottery orange and blue designed decor Dimensions. 5 W ; 5 D ;...
Ceramic
$495
H 2.13 in Dm 1.13 in
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
$245Sale Price|30% Off
H 3 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in
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
Vintage Abstract Patterned Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Description: This vintage pottery vase is a compelling example of Mid-Century Modern ceramic artistry, distinguished by its richly textured abstract relief pattern. The cylindrical f...
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...
Pottery
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
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...
Pottery
William Moorcroft Wisteria Vase
By William Moorcroft
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
A large size and lovely vase beautifully decorated in 'Wisteria' pattern; designed and produced by William Moorcroft. It features fine tube lining and rich colours on a deep cobalt b...
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
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
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