Please Note: Offered for sale at a heavily discounted price due to condition, as outlined below.
A vintage Moorcroft vase c1930's from the Natural Pottery range by William Moorcroft.
The height is 155mm (6.10inch) and with a weight of 615g the vase feels like a substantial item .
Regarding age the back stamps suggest the vase can be dated from 1928 to 1949.
The date range can be narrowed down further because it was in the 1930's that Moorcroft developed a range of what was called Natural Pottery, more akin to products been produced by the studio potters of the day. This vase also has a ribbed surface and a primitive style of banding which are features of the natural pottery range.
The background colour is essentially a pastel shade of green with some darker areas around the base.
The decoration might suggest a style known today as 'naive art' a genre that has become popular, and the vase would certainly complement many modern as well as traditional period settings.
Condition:-
Vintage items may have imperfections and/or idiosyncrasies due to the manufacturing processes of the day, usage perhaps over many years and how an item has been stored but any significant issues will always be highlighted in the description.
The vase has some chipping on the base which is quite unnoticeable when on display. The positions of the chips would make for a particularly easy restoration however given the negligible, if any, effect they have on display the vase has been left in its 'museum state' with the history preserved.
Moorcroft used to show a silver line on the base of an item to denote slightly second quality. There is such a line on the base of this vase however it feels more like an indentation than a line so remains subject to interpretation.
The vase has the typical age related 'micro' crazing over the surface which may be difficult to see on the images, as it is very faint, so is mentioned separately.
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.
The vase represents a different aspect to the beautiful and colourful designs normally associated with Moorcroft, and offers a collector an opportunity to add interest and variety.
This vase is available by ordering online only however if planning a visit the Antiques Centre in York please visit Cabinet 138 which is situated on the Lower Ground Floor, to view a selection of Moorcroft Pottery, from early vintage pieces to more modern examples.
