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How to identify Moorcroft Pottery

How to identify Moorcroft Pottery

Dating back to 1897, Moorcroft Pottery has become one of the most distinguished British pottery brands. With its unique and bold designs, Moorcroft has stood the test of time, with  being as popular as ever amongst collectors and individuals, and with many pieces that have been known to fetch large amounts on the secondary market. This article will take you through some key identifying factors which can help determine if you have a genuine Moorcroft piece:

  • Materials - should be earthenware and heavier than porcelain. 
  • Markings - the mark on the base shows the year it was made, and designer, painter or tubliner.
  • Patterns - designs that are unique to Moorcroft pottery.
  • Quality & Consistency - vibrant colours and a smooth, glass-like glaze.

Materials

Moorcroft pottery uses earthenware to make its pieces. When looking at the material of your ceramic, consider the colour and weight to help you identify what it is made from. Porcelain has a whiter appearance and is lighter in weight. As a result, porcelain ceramics tend to allow more light through, by holding a torch to the item and checking if it can be seen on the reverse you can often identify whether a piece is made from porcelain or earthenware. 

Markings

Every Moorcroft piece will be marked to its base, meaning the markings are a key tool in authenticating Moorcroft pottery. The mark will indicate the age of the piece and signify that the piece was made in England. Some will also include an artist’s mark which will identify the designer, painter or tubliner of the piece. The age of the item will determine what the markings look like. For example, early examples feature a hand painted signature, but from the 1920s impressed makers' marks became more popular. From 1928-1945 ‘Potter to H. M. The Queen,’ was added to the markings and in 1990 Cypher symbols were added to the base to determine the year they were created, for example, in 1998 an Iron was used. 

Patterns 

Moorcroft pottery has unique designs set them apart from other ceramics manufacturers so looking out for these unique patterns can help you identify a Moorcroft piece. Some of the most famous patterns include the Pomegranate, Queen’s Choice and Poppy. The Florian design is often considered one of the earliest examples. With production ceasing in approximately 1906, this design is highly popular amongst collectors and has been known to fetch figures in the £1000s at auction. Other valuable designs include the Hazeldene pattern, which was produced for Liberty and Co, the Eventide design and the Moonlit Blue pattern. 

From 1987 to 1997 designer Sally Tuffin became Art Director for Moorcroft and produced numerous designs including Peacock, Carp and Cluney which are regularly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. 

Quality and Consistency

Moorcroft pottery's reputation derives from its skilled craftsmanship and high-quality pieces, therefore, imperfections can often be a telling sign a piece is counterfeit. The glaze should feel smooth and glasslike with a consistent texture throughout. A rough and lumpy texture could indicate the piece being an imitation. In addition, the colours should be vibrant and bold, with counterfeits often lacking the pigmentations. It is often useful to compare the design to genuine examples, ensuring the colours match and proportions are correct. 

If you need assistance in determining whether your items are genuine Moorcroft pieces or are interested to know their value and potentially sell, PM Antiques & Collectables offers a quick and effective service. We have a wealth of experience to help you identify and value Moorcroft pottery and offer a free, no obligation appraisal service for a wide range of pieces. Contact us today to see how much your Moorcroft collection could be worth!

Written by Krista Palmer-Preece of PM Antiques & Collectables

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