From time to time Moorcroft will creates exclusive designs that are only available from specific retailers.  Below are some of our most recent collaborations.

Deacon & Son Jewellers
The Bristolian - VASE & PLAQUE

This design showcases The Bristolian, which today is housed in the Swindon Museum against a reconstructed 1930s platform. The museum is a restored Grade II railway building in the heart of the former Swindon railway works within a whistle of Moorcroft retailer, Deacons & Sons. The museum tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway - 'God’s Wonderful Railway' - a railway network that, through the pioneering vision and genius of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was regarded as the most advanced in the world.

Through sheer design acumen, designer Paul Hilditch enables you to experience a sense of nostalgia from the golden age of travel as you travel through Britain's stunning countryside as the GWR express locomotive, The Bristolian, sweeps over Swindon itself on Brunel’s viaducts and through his tunnels before appearing directly in-front of you as it emerges from the other side. Under immense steam pressure, with pistons blowing and wheels screeching, the excitement of the age of steam is championed in the Applied Arts.

Designed by Paul Hilditch, The Bristolian is a Limited Edition of 10 on the 3/8 shape, and a Limited Edition of 5 on the PLQ23 shape, featuring a special ‘Deacons’ backstamp.  RRP £1695 (Vase) and £1745 (Plaque).

Deacon & Son Ltd
11-15 Wood Street
Old Town, Swindon
Wilts
SN1 4AN
T: +44(0)1793 522072
W: www.deacons-jewellers.com

Ashwood Nurseries
lewisia - vase RM2/4

Many people will have seen Ashwood Nurseries’ John Massey on social media enthusing about his show-stopping Lewisias within his own Rock Garden with their spectacular show of brilliantly coloured flowers in spring, often followed by a second flush of flowers in summer. Emma’s design sees the Lewisia cotyledon Ashwood Strain growing into the sky, as opposed to against the rock wall in John’s Garden at Ashwood Nurseries itself. This was a good choice, the colour contrast dramatises the delicate pinks of the bloom circling the vase against the rich cobalt glaze backdrop. Lewisia is a triumph of glaze alchemy with the star-shaped flowers in soft, blushing pinks, and flushed with rich, scarlet-coloured stripes, making this Lewisia design stand proud.

Lewisias are indigenous to the western parts of North America where they are found in spectacular natural landscapes, often clinging precariously to rocky ledges and among boulders on rock-strewn slopes. Now they can become a focal point of colour in your home, or indeed, used, in the tradition of the Arts and Crafts movement, to bring your own rock garden Ashwood Lewisia into your interior, synchronising our colourful rock garden havens with home styling.

Designed by Emma Bossons FRSA, Lewisia on the RM2/4 shape, is a limited edition of 10, featuring a special ‘Ashwood Nurseries’ backstamp. RRP £595.

new world hepatica - plaque plq5

Ashwood Nurseries is one of only a few nurseries in the UK specialising in hepatica plants. The nursery owner John Massey is widely regarded as being one of the UK’s leading experts on hepaticas: he has his own private plant collection and has travelled to China, Japan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, North America and Europe to see them in the wild. The famous nursery has impressive record of RHS Gold medals for hepatica exhibits at RHS London flower shows as a testament to the quality of their plants.

New World Hepatica takes John’s travels to North America into the Applied Arts with Hepatica acutiloba, an early woodland flower, which opens her buds into exquisite bowl-shaped flowers. Moorcroft designer, Nicola Slaney makes maximum artistic advantage of the blossom which can be pale blue and pink as well as the more familiar Alpine-white. Remarkably showcased at Ashwood Nurseries, Nicola harness Moorcroft’s ‘floating’ technique to wash pristine-white blossom and lobed leaves, with tinges of taffy-pink oxides, a complex cadmium mix, at the upper ridge of the plaque before gently tumbling the colours into pale lavender-purple shades.

Designed by Nicola Slaney, New World Hepatica, on the PLQ5 shape, is a limited edition of 15, featuring a special ‘Ashwood Nurseries’ backstamp.  RRP £295.

Ashwood Nurseries
Greensforge
Kingswinford
West Midlands
DY6 0AE

T: +44(0)1384 401996
E: giftshop@ashwoodnurseries.com

W Hamond
WHITBY WHALEBONE - VASE 3/8

The famous 15-feet whalebone arch on Whitby’s West Cliff, killed under license by Alaskan Inuits, and gifted to Whitby by Alaska in 2003, conjures up stories of Captain Cook, and ghostly gallon ships for anyone who visits the town. Cleverly, the Moorcroft’s designer uses the weather-worn whale bone frames to frame Whitby Abbey and the townscape that has changed so little in more than a century.

With flashes of cadmium-red, the red-roofed houses of the old town, where Moorcroft retailer, W Hamond are located, seem piled up one on top of another, as you journey from the sweeping bay. Remarkably, this design in the round captures the steep gradients of the infamous steps that twist and turn up to the cliff-top tombstones and ruins that inspired Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, published in 1897. On the reverse of the vase, a tranquil seascape complete with bobbing fishing boats calms the mind and provides solace.

Designed by Kerry Goodwin, Whitby Whalebone, on the 3/8 shape, is a limited edition of 20, featuring a special ‘W Hamond’ backstamp.  RRP £895.

W Hamond
112 Church Street
Whitby
North Yorkshire
YO22 4DE
T: +44(0)1947 603330
W: www.whamond.com

Clifton Ceramics
BALLOON FIESTA - VASE 4/8

Designed and built in 1836 by a young engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this 702-foot-long, 250-foot-high Clifton Suspension Bridge gracefully spans the Avon Gorge between Clifton and Leigh Woods. Fantastically, as the summer draws to a sleepy close, the bridge is quite literally engulfed in a myriad of colours as hot air balloons rise above the Bridge in the Balloon Fiesta.

For 2023, one of Bristol’s most iconic sights since the 19th century has now been captured by Emma in her own Balloon Fiesta with balloons captured ascending at differing heights from Ashton court. Curves and the vibrant colours from the setting sun combine with the a vast array of patchwork canopies, the deep blues of the River Avon, rolling hills and even Brunel’s suspension bridge, taking 33 years to complete, holds arches and line work that mimics those on the balloons themselves. Hanging in their dangling straw baskets, silhouettes of passengers mark them out as only witnesses to this colourful extravaganza. Joyfully, the Mexican word Fiesta is captured on this jubilant, peaceful and uplifting celebration of Bristol in the Applied Arts.

Designed by Emma Bossons FRSA, Balloon Fiesta, on the 4/8 shape, is a limited edition of 10, featuring a special ‘Clifton Ceramics’ backstamp.  RRP £1320.

Clifton Ceramics & Fine Jewellery
58 The Mall
Clifton
Bristol
BS8 4JG

T: +44(0)1173 730256
E: moorcroft@cliftonceramics.co.uk

Treeby & BoltonASHNESS JETTY

Situated in the picturesque market town of Keswick in the heart of the English Lake District, Moorcroft retailer, Treeby and Bolton has been a very special china shop for over 100 years. In this time, the store has expanded and now also houses a fabulous selection of contemporary art and glass, unique bronzes and design-led interiors across the three floors of its beautiful building. With a varied and up-to-date selection of Moorcroft, the shop is an unavoidable destination for any collector visiting the Lake District.

Following on from the popular Ashness Bridge, designed exclusively for Treeby and Bolton, comes Ashness Jetty.  The design hints at the boating history of many of the jetties that surround The Lakes. As Ashness jetty projects into the water, there are no moorings. Instead, framed under a canopy of trees, with vistas over the surrounding fells, you find two abandoned wooden skiffs, that could have been left by children lost in another world, like those in Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome. Appreciate the calmness of Derwentwater in this tranquil scene, that allows you to bathe in quiet waters, just as visitors to The Lakes have done over the passing years.

‘The klop, klop of water under the bows of a small boat will cure most troubles in this world.’ Ch.11 Swallows and Amazons.

Designed by Nicola Slaney, Ashness Jetty on the 869/6 shape, is a limited edition of 50, featuring a special ‘Treeby and Bolton’ backstamp.  RRP £565.

TREEBY & BOLTON
12 Lake Road
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 5BX‎
Tel: +44 (0)17687 72443

email: info@treebybolton.co.uk

Ashwood Nurseries
Ashwood Hellebore - VASE 198/5

      Designer: Emma Bossons FRSA
      Shape: 198/5
      Limited Edition: 25
      RRP: £695

If the truth were told, John Massey, owner of Ashwood Nurseries in Kingswinford, would probably admit to placing hellebores among his selection of favourite flowers, coming, as they do, in more than twenty different varieties and multiple colourways. Designer, Emma Bossons FRSA decided to use a variety of hellebore markedly different from most of the other familiar guardians of the species. The base is dark, but fades and becomes lighter at the rim. The pink, speckled flowers of the Helleborus x hybridus (an Ashwood Garden hybrid) have pleasing, pink-coloured buds and moss coloured leaves. Simple but effective, John would say with a twinkle in his eye. Just like the flower itself.

 

The Gift Shop
Ashwood Nurseries
Greensforge
Kingswinford
West Midlands
DY6 0AE
Tel: 01384 401996
E: giftshop@ashwoodnurseries.com

Drakesbrook Antiques and Collectables
Malar's Garden - VASE 7/7

Fortuitously, the Waroona Shire decided to trial native plants along the street front outside Moorcroft retailer, Drakesbrook Antiques and Collectables. Usually, shop owners, Malar and Bill Fraser, plant blooms to reflect the vast array of colour from Moorcroft’s ceramic alchemy, but with the seasons getting hotter and drier, trying to keep the normal floral array in good condition tested their summer water restrictions. What happened next was quite unexpected. The new hardy native plants flourished alongside their 30-year old iceberg roses to such dramatic effect that they inspired Kerry Goodwin to quite literally bring the outside of their shop into the display cabinets themselves.

Weaving under a swinging Drakesbrook Antiques sign, the white stellar flowers of the African Corn Lily complete with dark purple eyes, burst into centre stage against the ‘Ayers Rock’ feldspar-coloured walls, with their bluish-purple markings mimicking the vibrant coloured pillars of the shop’s entrance. This is the beauty of ceramic design, where blooms can be placed out of perspective to dazzle the eye and lead you towards clumps of Conostylis Candican hosting small, bright, canary-yellow flowers born on slender stalks as tight-clusters of sanguine-pink Grevilleas Lanigera complete your journey. Seduction by colour and form is achieved through Malar’s Garden in much the same way as these flowers attract Australia’s Honey Eater birds who flit in and out of Malar’s garden singing their joyful songs.

      Designer: Kerry Goodwin
      Shape: 7/7
      Limited Edition: 15
      RRP: $2148 AUD

Drakesbrook Antiques, 0061 8 97331240, antique9@bigpond.net.au

Goviers of SidmouthWOODLAND CANOPY - VASE & PLAQUE: 95/10 & PLQ16

A unique Moorcroft design, inspired by The Queen’s Green Canopy project, has been designed exclusively for Goviers of Sidmouth, a leading Royal commemorative specialist retailer.

The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the United Kingdom to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee.’ Everyone from individuals to Scout and Girlguiding groups, village communities, city councils, schools and companies will be encouraged to play their part to enhance our environment by planting trees from October, when the tree planting season begins, through to the end of the Jubilee year in 2022.

With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC will encourage planting of trees to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations. As well as inviting the planting of new trees, The Queen’s Green Canopy will dedicate a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom and identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.

Moorcroft’s design was inspired by native trees and the intention of creating a woodland canopy throughout the seasons. The base of the design features autumnal flowers, berries and toadstools, whilst the top fans out to create a stunning display of leaves, branches, acorns and sycamore seeds. Our Ancient Woodlands are quintessential features of the UK’s much-loved landscapes – irreplaceable, living historic monuments which inspire us and provide us with a sense of place and history in an increasingly busy world. Rachel Bishop’s design fully reflects this notion with the richest colours and memorising linework.

Designer: Rachel Bishop BA(Hons)
Shape: 95/10 - SOLD OUT
Limited Edition: 7
RRP: £995

Designer: Rachel Bishop BA(Hons)
Shape: PLQ16
Limited Edition: 7
RRP: £965

 

Contact Simon or Janet at:

Goviers of Sidmouth Ltd
6 Nightingale Close
Lower Tean
Staffordshire
ST10 4LX

Tel: 01538 807419

Clifton CeramicsSS Great Britain - VASE: 162/5

SS Great Britain is one of the most important historic ships in the world. When she was launched, she was called ‘the greatest experiment since the creation’. No one had ever designed so vast a ship, nor had the vision to build it of iron. In 1852 Gibbs, Bright & Co. purchased the SS Great Britain. The ship was to rely more on sail power than on her steam engine as this would save money and an extra upper deck was built, so that the ship could carry up to 700 passengers.

The SS Great Britain was a remarkably adaptable ship. After 30 years as a passenger ship, she was converted to carry cargo. Between 1882 and 1886 the SS Great Britain carried a variety of exports such as coal and wheat between England and the west coast of America.

Due to the extraordinary distance, the ship was confronted by the wildest sea conditions in the world. In 1886, storms off Cape Horn badly damaged the SS Great Britain and forced her Capitan, Henry Stap, to seek shelter in the Falkland Islands, the first port of refuge. The ship’s owners decided the cost of repairs was far too high and eventually, their insurers sold the SS Great Britain to the Falkand Islands Company.

Today, Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS Great Britain dominates Bristol’s historic waterfront. Dressed with flags and ready for departure, just as she looked at her launch in 1843, she welcomes visitors to come aboard and explore. The ship has been painstakingly restored to recreate life on the world’s first great luxury liner.

Designer: Kerry Goodwin
Shape: 162/5
Limited Edition: 30
RRP: £450

 

Clifton CeramicsJourney on the Avon - VASE: 393/10

Today, gently swaying in the waters of the ‘Floating Harbour’ of Bristol, and lovingly cared for by a team of dedicated volunteers, resides The Matthew - a full size replica of John Cabot’s ship which charted North America in 1497. She retraced the famous journey of her namesake in 1997 for the 500th anniversary of the voyage carrying the same number of crew and taking the same amount of time to reach Newfoundland.

A thrilling insight into The Matthew’s structure is brought to us by Kerry Goodwin who has painted the ship as it approaches the Avon Gorge and world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Kerry has carefully maintained the impressive grandeur of the ship with its intricate sails, towering masts and complex rigging. Overhead, the annual Clifton hot air balloon festival is in full flight, silently floating about The Matthew as it gracefully cuts through the River Avon.

Designer: Kerry Goodwin
Shape: 393/10
Limited Edition: 10
RRP: £850

 

Ocean's StudioPyra's cove - Vase: 76/5 & plaque: plq5

Polperro is an idyllic picture postcard village in Cornwall, but for the artist with an ability to think and to dream, the Cornish fishing village and harbour is much, much more. Its picturesque and colourful cottages hint at antiquity as they drift daintily down to the village harbour. The earliest known Royal document relating to Polperro is dated 1303 and antiquity and beauty are not in doubt and consequently the village was an inevitable attraction to visiting Moorcroft designer, Kerry Goodwin.

Before her arrival, Kerry had established that Polperro was the contemporary name for a village once called Pyra’s Cove, a name translated from the Cornish word ‘Porthpyra’. So much detail and beauty was there for the designer to absorb that Kerry found herself designing both a vase and a plaque, with an almost endless supply of material to feed her imagination. You will find yourself searching for fishermen’s lobster pots, the prettiest cottage or shop whilst simultaneously breathing in the salty air and the unmistakable smell of fresh seaweed, whether it be by visiting Polperro or experiencing all it has to offer in Moorcroft’s Pyra’s Cove.

 

The Cotswold Shop Exclusivebourton-on-the-water

The Cotswolds, set in the heart of England, is famous for its honey-coloured stone architecture and quaint village scenes. Nestled within this historic idyll, sits one of the prettiest villages in England, Bourton-on-the-Water with is tranquil river, the Windrush, which meanders through. Where the river enters the village centre, over the rapids next to the Old Mill, its clear waters flow under a miscellany of arched stone bridges past the green with its banks of Cotswold stone.

Moorcroft designer, Kerry, has been inspired by this beauty spot in years gone by. This time she returns to offer a vision of the banks of Windrush where nesting mallards gather. The leaves of antique trees ebb between deep summer green and the golden sand which echoes the stone bridges.

Bourton-on-the-Water is exclusive to The Cotswold Shop, as a limited edition of 50 priced at £315.

The Cotswold Shop
High Street, Bourton-on-the-Water
Gloucestershire GL54 2AN

Phone: +44 (0)1451 820 547

Email: nina@thecotswoldshop.co.uk