A vintage Moorcroft inverted rim bowl in the Orchid pattern by Walter Moorcroft.
The diameter of the bowl is 109mm, the height 33 mm and the weight 145g.
In excellent condition.
The orchid pattern was originally developed by William Moorcroft c1937 and further developed by Walter Moorcroft in the 1940's and 1950's .
The floral pattern on the dark blue ground makes for a highly attractive item and as these inverted rim bowls are generally heavier when compared to similar sized items they have a solid, tactile quality to them.
Regarding age it can be difficult to assess with absolute certainty as some production runs could be quite long, and it was not until 1990 that Moorcroft began using year cyphers to show when an item was actually made.
As a there is no year cypher on the bowl the latest possible date of manufacture would be 1989 however there are a number of ways to narrow this down, as indicated below:-
The impressed MOORCROFT and MADE IN ENGLAND backstamps suggest a date range c1949 to 1986.
Referral to reference book states the orchid design was last used in 1972.
From the condition of the bowl and the detail above the age might reasonably be assessed as c1960's however which ever date range assessment is used the bowl is clearly of a genuine vintage age.
A very lovely item which should prove a worthy addition to many a collection of Moorcroft pottery.
This bowl in the orchid pattern is available online only however if visiting the Antiques Centre please visit Cabinet 138 situated on the Lower Ground Floor to view other items of Moorcroft Pottery from early vintage pieces to more modern examples.
