Bluebell Designs for Pottery made by Moorcroft, 1898-2023

A selection of bluebell designs for pottery made by Moorcroft in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, between 1898 and 2023.

This gallery includes work by William Moorcroft, Walter Moorcroft, Sally Tuffin, Rachel Bishop, Emma Bossons FRSA, Kerry Goodwin, Paul Hilditch, Vicky Lovatt, Nicola Slaney, Sian Leeper, Philip Gibson, Anita Harris, Shirley Hayes, and Elizabeth Todd. And many highly-skilled modelers, molders, casters, turners, spongers, tracers, tube-liners, painters, glazers, and firers.

My interest is how this work illustrates the varied treatments of the same subject that can be made by the same and different artists in the same media over many years' time.

Page 2: 2009 to 2016

1898 to 2008 • 2009 to 2016 • 2017 to 2023

2009

Kerry Goodwin
BLUEBELL HARMONY

8 inch vase.

Bluebell Harmony is an open design at Moorcroft and the most prolific bluebell, available since 2009, made in a variety of shapes and sizes.
While to the same design, I enjoy that examples from different years and in different shapes are varied in their colour tints.

Moorcroft Bluebell Harmony vases by Kerry Goodwin

W. Moorcroft Ltd photo.

This one has the Teapot year mark, made in 2009.

Moorcroft Bluebell Harmony vase by Kerry Goodwin

4 inch vase.

The Teapot year mark, made in 2009.

8 inch vase.

The Yacht year mark, made in 2014.

5 inch vase.

The Anchor year mark, made in 2016.

Moorcroft Bluebell Harmony pin dish by Kerry Goodwin

4 inch pin dish.

The Anchor year mark, made in 2016.

6 inch vase.

The Butterfly year mark, made in 2017.

12 inch vase.

The Butterfly year mark, made in 2017.

2009

Emma Bossons
BLUEBELL WOOD

13 inch vase.

2011

Rachel Bishop
CAT NAP

12 inch vase.
One of 30 numbered and signed.

The cats are the heroes of this design, of course, with bluebell flowers prominently featured.

Moorcroft Cat Nap plaque by Rachel Bishop

The Cat Nap design was recently redone as a pair of 15 inch plaques, showing one above.

2011

Kerry Goodwin
LOVELOCK

• Trial

6 inch vase.

Moorcoft Lovelock trial vase by Kerry Goodwin

This trial dated 13-8-12

This 12-inch trial is dated
4-10-11

Moorcroft Lovelock trial vase by Kerry Goodwin

2011

Kerry Goodwin
LOVELOCK

12 inch vase.

A Lovelock is a long lock or curl dressed separately from the rest of the hair, worn by courtiers especially in the 17th century.

Moorcroft Lovelock vase by Kerry Goodwin

Moorcroft Lovelock pottery by Kerry Goodwin

The Lovelock design was produced in several styles and sizes.

W. Moorcroft Ltd photo.

11½ inch plaque.

Moorcroft Lovelock plaque by Kerry Goodwin

2012

Paul Hilditch
THE ASH GROVE

• Trial

4 inch covered bowl.

The design illustrates the traditional Welsh folksong The Ash Grove:
"Twas there, while the blackbird was cheerfully singing,
I first met my dear one, the joy of my heart!
Around us for gladness the bluebells were ringing"

Moorcroft The Ash Grove trial by Paul Hilditch

2012

Emma Bossons
BLACKTHORN AND BLUEBELL

4 inch vase.

Red dot for minor flaws.

Moorcroft Blackthorn and Bluebell by Emma Bossons

2013

Paul Hilditch
BLUEBELLS & DAISIES

8 inch vase.
One of 50 numbered and signed.

Moorcroft bluebell vase by Paul Hilditch

2013

BLUEBELLS

• Trial

6 inch standard clock.

Tubeliner and painter initials, no designer monogram.

2013

Vicky Lovatt
BEES AT BREAKFAST WITH BLUEBELLS

3½ inch egg cup.

Moorcroft Bees at Breakfast egg cup by Vicky Lovatt

Moorcroft Bees at Breakfast egg cups by Vicky Lovatt

One of a set of six floral Bees at Breakfast cups.

2013

Kerry Goodwin
SPRING GIFT BLUEBELL

4¼ inch footed egg.

Moorcroft Spring Gift Bluebell egg by Kerry Goodwin

2014

Rachel Bishop
OTLEY CHEVIN

• Trial

6 inch vase.

Red dots for minor flaws.

Otley Chevin was produced in three forms, this and the two below.

Moorcroft Otley Chevin trial vase by Rachel Bishop

2014

Rachel Bishop
OTLEY CHEVIN

6 inch vase.

Otley Chevin Forest
Park is nearby Leeds in West Yorkshire.

Moorcroft Otley Chevin vase by Rachel Bishop

8 inch plaque.

Moorcroft Otley Chevin plaque by Rachel Bishop

2016

Rachel Bishop
IMOGEN

11½ inch vase.

In the Shakespeare Collection — this from Cymbeline with bluebells rather than harebells, thought by scholars to be an error in the Folios.
"The flower that's like thy face, pale primrose, nor
the azured harebell, like thy veins ..."

Moorcroft Imogen vase vase by Rachel Bishop

2016

Paul Hilditch
COOL WATER DAY

11½ inch plaque, signed and numbered.

Moorcroft Cool Water Day plaque by Paul Hilditch

2016

Paul Hilditch
COOL WATER MOON

11½ inch plaque, signed and numbered.

Moorcroft Cool Water Moon plaque by Paul Hilditch

This gallery was created by for recreational interest only.
I have very little experience with photography, taking these photos with a Samsung S-10+ phone camera using a white nylon sheet for a background. Brightness is low in favour of reduced glare and accurate colour.
Contact at paul@pauldavies.net • www.pauldavies.net • www.sybiltawse.info

TOP • 1898 to 2008 • 2017 to 2023