Moorcroft Pottery

Moorcroft Pottery whether it is a Victorian or Edwardian piece signed by William Moorcroft himself or a much more modern piece is highly collectable. Whilst many antiques, particularly some types of china or pottery have seen their prices fall over the past few years, Moorcroft has increased in value and remains a good investment.

William Moorcroft was born in 1872 in Burslem, Staffordshire, a main pottery centre in Britain. After studying at the National Art Training School which later became the Royal College of Art he became an assistant designer at the pottery of James Macintyre and Co.

At Macintyres as manager of the Ornamental Ware department, he promoted the use of the organic flower and leaf patterns that had been used to such effect by William Morris. The much collected Florian ware made at the factory was his responsibility and he developed a specially formulated white clay that withstood high temperatures. Macintyre sometimes put the retailer's name on the base, particularly the pieces made for the famous Liberty and Co., which are particularly popular with collectors and carry a high price when they appear on the market. The now instantly recognisable deeply coloured designs of peacock feathers, poppies and irises perfectly fitted the Liberty style of rich, rather dark, traditional interiors. This ware, made exclusively for Liberty, was produced between 1908-13.