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No matter your interior design preferences, beautiful pottery will always give your home a refined look. Well-chosen pottery pieces are a great way to add personality and character to your place.
Adding some ceramic and porcelain accents to your home will help create a visual balance to the clean, gleaming appearance of most modern furniture. Highly polished metallic objects definitely have a place in home decor, but too much lustre may make a space appear impersonal and cold. Pottery’s porous earthiness will give the space a cosier vibe.
Although pottery works particularly well with rustic and vintage decor, some pieces can also look stunning in a modern setting. A good example is Moorcroft’s pottery. The eye-catching, brightly coloured vases, jugs, pots and tea sets made by this brand not only have a classic appearance but also provide a unique touch that will enliven your home and become a focal point. They are also quite collectable, and numerous examples can be purchased at auctions.
Whether you’re aiming for that Art Nouveau look, a piece of pottery to brighten up a shelf, or a distinctive vase to use and enjoy, you’re sure to find a piece of Moorcroft pottery to suit your taste.
The Story Behind the Pottery Maker
Although many other kinds of pottery makers have been around for a while, none is as well-known. It all started more than a century ago with William Moorcroft.
James Macintyre & Co. Ltd. of Staffordshire hired William Moorcroft as a designer in 1897; a year later, he was in charge of the business’s art pottery workshop. After parting ways with James Macintyre & Co. Ltd. in 1913, William established his factory close by. The company now dominates the art pottery market with its unique style and sells more pieces globally than it did even at its prior peak in the 1920s.
What Makes Moorcroft Pottery Unique?
This pottery is renowned for its intricate designs, gorgeous colours, and superior craftsmanship. The items, which are transfer-printed and enamelled, have a recognisable Art Nouveau design that has come to represent the company. Each piece is signed by the artist to ensure authenticity, and the bright red, blue, and gold tones are instantly recognised.
Another distinctive feature of this pottery is that no two pieces are alike. Each piece is individually made and has its own flair, even if they all follow the same design. In order to outline the overall design, a small clay tube is used to draw the pattern onto the object. After being painted with striking enamel colours, the unglazed pottery is then fired.
This results in the production of a unique, magnificent, and timeless work of art. And for this reason alone, pottery enthusiasts from all over the world find this pottery to be so appealing and collectable.
How Do You Identify Moorcroft Pottery?
Numbered editions, open editions, limited editions, exclusive editions, and renowned editions are just a few of the different pottery versions that are available. The pottery can be recognised by a variety of features, such as the designer’s signature and imprinted pattern.
- Vintage pieces are highly prized and can sell for astronomical sums at auctions.
- On the base of every item, there is a mark. It represents the country of origin of the artwork as well as the year it was made. The tube liner or painter’s name is revealed by the design year and initials.
- Additionally, an artist’s signature, sometimes known as a “Moorcroft signature” or “monogram,” could be included. Today, both Moorcroft Design Studio employees and visiting designers have unique monograms.
- A silver stripe running across a WM monogram often indicates that the object is of inferior quality or has flaws.
What Kind of Moorcroft Pieces are Available?
Nowadays you can find a variety of products by this pottery brand, ranging in style and size. Popular pieces include:
Vases
This is possibly the most recognisable piece of this brand’s ceramics. Each vase features a detailed design with vibrant colours and striking patterns.
There are numerous options to choose from, ranging from simple floral designs to more complex geometric shapes. The former is suitable for a more subdued approach, while the latter can be perfect if looking for a bolder statement piece.
Jars
If you are looking for something more practical, jars may be just what you need. They can be used to hold a variety of items, from culinary spices and herbs to workplace supplies.
Because Moorcroft jars come in various sizes and patterns, it won’t be hard to discover a piece that matches your requirements. For instance, the slightly larger-than-average Tengu Ginger Jar can be used to store anything from cookies to coffee beans.
Plaques
These are a wonderful addition to any home with a vintage or antique feel because they are made to seem like vintage signs and posters. They can be hung on the wall or set on a shelf, giving you a lot of display possibilities.
Quite modest and compact, these pieces are ideal for individuals who want more minimalistic decoration. They don’t take up as much area as contemporary prints or posters, which helps keep your room feeling spacious and bright. If you reside in a smaller home, this is very advantageous.
Plates
You may be pleased to discover that the company also produces a wide range of plates. Moorcroft ceramic plates are versatile pieces that can be used as display decor as well as functional pieces to display candles to hold cups of tea.
Clocks
Although ceramics are not typically associated with clocks, this company has created some wonderful timepieces that are both functional and beautiful. One such example is the Vine House Clock. The clock’s golden marmalade glazes and bronze, copper, and brownish undertones, which were inspired by the original watercolour by Nelly Roberts, contrast beautifully with the stunning dark pink and deep purple illuminated around the face against an ivory background. It will undoubtedly start a conversation wherever it is put.