Moorcroft Leaf and Berry

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Moorcroft is a British pottery manufacturer, the hand made items of which are particularly associated with the use of rich flambé glazes, giving high colour intensity and vibrancy. Another typical feature of the firm's products is the use of tubelining, a process whereby thin lines of clay are squeezed onto a pot. Items produced by Moorcroft are becoming increasingly popular with collectors.

Moorcroft Pottery is based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and founded by William Moorcroft. The tradition began when Moorcroft founded a studio in the larger ceramic company he was working for at the time, James Macintyre & Co. Ltd. in 1897. Pottery was produced to Moorcroft's designs and each was personalized with his own initials and/or signature. In 1904, Moorcroft won a gold medal at the St. Louis International Exhibition. By 1912, his designs had gained prominence worldwide, and Moorcroft started his own factory. His glazing technique became a closely guarded secret. Moorcroft's continued success led to a royal appointment to Queen Mary in 1928, after the Queen became a collector. During this period, the popularity of Moorcroft ware was at its height, which has only again been seen in recent years. On 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.

Between its founding and its leadership under Walter, the company had been financed in collaboration with the famous London store, Liberty. Walter's designs continued to build upon his father's traditions by producing articles with similar standards of quality, decoration and colour, that had become synonymous with the Moorcroft name. The Liberty store was bought out by Moorcroft in 1962. In an attempt to mass produce Moorcroft pottery, part of the company was sold to the Roper Brothers in 1984. However, this attempt was unsuccessful and, in 1986, their share was subsequently resold to business partners Hugh Edwards and Richard Dennis. In 1992, Dennis and his pottery designer wife, Sally, left the company.

Walter retired as the director of design in 1987, but continued to contribute until his last design, 'Rock of Ages', launched in 1999. In 1993, Rachel Bishop joined the company and became its senior designer. She has helped to reinforce the Moorcroft tradition by producing some notable and popular modern designs. Moorcroft celebrarted its centenary year in 1997 and with it the Moorcroft Design Studio was created, consisting Rachel Bishop B.A., Nicola Slaney B.A., Jeanne McDougall M.A., Philip Gibson M.A., Angela Davenport, Emma Bossons, Beverley Wilkes and Wendy Mason. The current team of designers is led by Rachel Bishop and includes Emma Bossons FRSA, Philip Gibson, Kerry Goodwin, Sian Leeper and Nicola Slaney. Some of the numerous items they produce include vases, bowls, jars, boxes, clocks and table lamps