Moorcroft Pottery Collectibles

In 1897, William Moorcroft headed a new design studio within the pottery of Stoke-on-Trent manufacturer James Macintyre & Co. Ltd. Moorcroft was a skilled exponent of art nouveau design. Moorcroft's talent as designer won him international acclaim at the St Louis International Exhibition in 1904 - but also caused friction with his employers because of his insistence in branding his work with his initials or signature. In 1912, Moorcroft jumped ship and set up his own production facility using his own designs - and many of his colleagues at Macintyres.

Moorcroft's reputation was enhanced when Queen Mary, a keen collector of his works, granted him a royal appointment in 1928. Shortly before the death of William in 1945, his eldest son, Walter Moorcroft took control of the pottery business and continued to develop it, with another royal appointment being awarded in 1946. Moorcroft production included modestly priced domestic tableware as well as the hand-crafted tubelined pottery.