Moorcroft began as a studio in 1897 within James Macintyre & Co., with 24 year old William Moorcroft. Crafted with incredible attention to detail, each pieces was marked with Moorcroft's initials or signature. Not a move that was appreciated by the James Macintyre company.
William left the Macintyre factory and set up a new factory in Sandbach Road, which still produces Moorcroft's famous designs today. The funds for the new factory were provided by Liberty of London, who controlled the company until 1962.
The Moorcroft designs come with a string of accolades, including winning the gold medal at the 1904 St Louis International Exhibition and being appointed as Potter to HM The Queen in 1928.
Moorcroft went through many changes following William Moorcroft's death in 1945. Hi eldest son Walter took over the company, and bought out Liberty. In 1984, after struggles to keep the stunning designs on the market, shares were sold on the open market. Since 1993, the Edwards family have taken the helm.
Now, the designs have had a resurgence in popularity, both Christie's and Sotheby's have dedicated sales of Moorcroft and the museums, including the V&A, feature important pieces of Moorcroft in their collections.
Through Barnebys valuation service, this Moorcroft "Leaf and Berry" pattern vase was submitted. The base isbase is impressed with a stamp mark and facsimile signature of "W. Moorcroft" along with "Potter to H.M. The Queen" underneath the signature. The "W. Moorcroft" signature seems to resemble the Moorcroft markings dated from 1928 to 1949. The submitted design has no visible cracks and described by the consigner has having only a little wear/scuffing on the rim of the base.
Philip Smith, a leading auction house specialist and auctioneer in 20th Century Design, commented on the date of the vase.
''This 'Leaf and Berry' vase does date to the period 1928 to 1949 from when they had a warrant from Queen Mary. It is typical of the colours of Moorcroft wares of this period and is a fairly common shape. At auction at the moment it would fetch between £100-200.''
Thomas Jenner-Fust, Chorley's director, impressed by the research conducted by the consigner, gave the piece an estimate of £200-300.
And it is as simple as that! Do you have a Moorcroft on the mantelpiece? Or perhaps even hiding in the loft. Dust it off and send it to our valuation service here, and let the experts decide its value.