A Moorcroft vase in the Pomegranate design by William Moorcroft.
With a height of 21.1cm (8.30 inch) and a weight of 0.77kg the vase presents as a substantial item.
The impressed MOORCROFT and MADE IN ENGLAND stamps on the base along with the impressed shape identification number indicate a date range c1918 to 1926. Nb referral to reference book advises there are similar to stamps found from 1926 to 1928 but without the shape identification number due to a change in the manufacturing process.
The Pomegranate design was introduced 1910 i.e. while William Moorcroft was still with the James Macintyre works but was continued by him when he set up his own factory at Cobridge on the outskirts of Burslem in 1913. Pomegranate became Moorcroft's most successful design and continued to be produced until the latter part of the 1930's with design updates along the way.
This vase has been closely inspected and assessed as in excellent condition with no chips or cracks noted. The vase seems virtually unaffected by crazing with only the very faint 'micro' crazing normally present on vases of this age. Interestingly, on their website Moorcroft advise their pottery is made from porous earthenware and crazing is just part of the normal ageing process. They talk about how this natural crazing is used by antiques salerooms to help establish the vintage of an item, and identify any restoration.
In fact given its age the vase could be said to be in an absolutely superb condition.
There is a great deal of content in the design with the pomegranate pattern all around the outer surface. The colours remain bright and on the dark blue ground make for a very attractive item. Nb For clarification the ground colour is dark blue and not black.
An opportunity for a collector to add a piece of vintage, and possibly antique (based on the 100 year old definition) Moorcroft pottery from the highly collectable pomegranate range, to a collection. Of course the size of the vase means it would likely be suitable to display as a stand alone item as well as part of a collection.
While beautiful Moorcroft items are still been produced, antique and vintage items have an appeal of their own and indeed many are now part of collections. To be a custodian of such items is a responsibility but at the same time a responsibility which can give a collector a great deal of satisfaction.
This Moorcroft vase in the pomegranate design is only available online, however if visiting the Antiques Centre in York please view Cabinet 138 situated on the Lower Ground Floor where other pieces of Moorcroft Pottery can be viewed.
Nb. For this item the dealer offers postage to UK addresses only.