How Can You Identify Moorcroft Pottery?
Moorcroft Pottery can be easily identified by its mark, usually found on the base of the pottery piece. Because the company has remained a family-operated business, the identifying marks have remained fairly consistent, according to Antique Marks. Newer marks, however, tend to be more elaborate and more informative.
Moorcroft pieces made between 1898 and 1905 have a standard brown Florian ware mark, and the signature of William Moorcroft is painted in green, Antique Marks describes. These pieces occasionally have a pattern registration number. The mark on pottery made between 1904 and 1913 is similar, but with William Moorcroft’s initials rather than a full signature. Between the years of 1904 and 1913, pottery was stamped with a Macintyre and Co., Burslem brown mark. Pottery made between 1928 and 1949 has the full signature of William Moorcroft, a Burslem stamp and a Made in England stamp.
From 1950 on, most Moorcroft pottery is stamped with a Moorcroft initial and signature, as well as a Made in England stamp. Exhibition pieces or limited editions might be marked accordingly. In 1987, the initial mark of William John Moorcroft appeared on Moorcroft pieces. Trial pieces also are marked, as are pieces by specific artists. In 2004, the signature of artist Rachel Bishop appeared on select pieces.
