Five Moorcroft lots coming up at auction including a huge collection in Derbyshire saleroom

The Hansons auction in Etwall, Derbyshire, offers a Private Collection of Moorcroft Ceramics – Property of a Lady, with nearly 500 lots.

The seller, a retired yoga teacher from Staffordshire, who did not wish to be named, said: “In 1974 I went into a shop that sells plant pots and was advised that a Moorcroft jardiniere would be an investment piece. It featured hibiscus on a dark blue background. It was just a household item but I bought it – and I loved it.”

Her collection “started in a very modest way”. Then she went along to an antique sale at Bingley Hall in Staffordshire and met a Moorcroft expert.

“He had some magnificent Moorcroft and I bought from him. He instigated the collection and gave me lots of advice,” said the seller. “I went on to buy pieces at London auction houses including Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Bonhams - and sometimes outbid important collectors. I also picked up objects on my travels around the country.”

A couple of options ranging in estimate are listed below, along with lots from other salerooms holding upcoming auctions in which a small selection of Moorcroft is offered, including more contemporary collecting possibilities.

Pansy pattern

This Moorcroft Pansy pattern baluster vase pictured top, designed by William Moorcroft, signed in green to the base and dated 1914, is estimated at £1200-1800 in Hansons’ February 5 auction.

Seventeen years earlier Moorcroft had been employed as a designer by pottery manufacturer James Macintyre & Co, but in 1913 he had branched out with his own factory in Cobridge, backed by Liberty of London.

To view and bid for the Moorcroft Pansy pattern baluster vase on offer at Hansons visit thesaleroom.com.

Leaf and Berry design

Moorcroft Leaf and Berry pattern plate, c.1930, estimated at £120-160 in Hanson's February 5 auction.

Pictured is another Moorcroft lot in the February 5 Hansons auction at a ‘more affordable’ price level: a Moorcroft Leaf and Berry pattern plate, c.1930, signed and marked to the base, approximately 8in (21cm) in diameter.

In 1935 Moorcroft’s son Walter joined the firm and introduced many of his own styles and designs into the catalogue after he took the reins of the company in 1945.

The estimate is £120-160.

Visit thesaleroom.com to view and bid on this Moorcroft Leaf and Berry pattern plate.

Earlier Moorcroft in Essex

Moorcroft Florian ware Blue Poppy urn and cover estimated at £400-600 at Sworders on January 28.

Dating from the earlier career of William Moorcroft, as a designer at Macintyre, is this Florian ware Blue Poppy urn and cover, of slender form with twin handles, on offer at Sworders in Stansted Mountfitchet on January 28. Marked W Moorcroft des in green, numbered 143 and showing a printed mark Rd No. 401753, it is 8.5in (22cm) high and estimated at £400-600.

You can view and bid for this for this Moorcroft Macintyre Florian ware Blue Poppy urn and cover on thesaleroom.com.

Modern Moorcroft

Moorcroft Cluny pattern vase and matching pin dish by Sally Tuffin, estimated at £50-80 in Ewbank's auction on January 30.

A small selection of Moorcroft for sale at Surrey saleroom Ewbank’s Decorative Arts auction on January 30 includes this lot dating from recent times. Sally Tuffin and her art dealer husband Richard Dennis helped to rescue Moorcroft in 1986, along with Maureen and Hugh Edwards.

Sally was a designer from 1987-97. This Moorcroft Cluny pattern vase of tapering form, 5in (13cm), high, is one of her creations. It is decorated with tube lined trees and foliage in tones of pink and green. Together with a matching pin dish, 4.5in (12cm) diameter, it is estimated at £50-80.

To bid on the Moorcroft Cluny pattern vase and matching pin dish, visit thesaleroom.com.

Anniversary celebration

Liberty Street pattern vase designed by Paul Hilditch, estimated at £300-400 in McTear's auction on January 30.

The year 2013 marked the centenary of Moorcroft and Liberty partnership and this Liberty Street pattern vase was designed by Paul Hilditch for the occasion.

Of trumpet form, tube lined with shoppers outside the Liberty store, on a brown and white ground, signed and dated to base, numbered 33/100, 8in (20cm) high, it is estimated at £300-400 in McTear’s British & Continental Ceramics & Glass Auction in Glasgow on January 30.

You can view and bid for this Moorcroft Liberty Street pattern vase via thesaleroom.com.