William Moorcroft Rare Miniature Loving Cup with Christmas and New Year Greetings

Description

William Moorcroft for James MacIntyre and Co., Burslem England. Rare miniature twin-handled Florian Ware loving cup with violet design, ‘Christmas & New Year Greetings.’

Dimensions: Approximately 3″ tall x 4″ wide
Artist: William Moorcroft
Country of Origin: England
Condition: Age related ware including crazing. No chips or repairs.
Provenance: Acquired from private U.K. Collector

About Moorcroft’s Miniatures: William Moorcroft helped shape British Art Pottery. Starting at James Macintyre and Co. in 1897, he soon impressed with Aurelian Ware—striking ceramics featuring floral designs and rich gold, red, and blue enamels. In just a year, Moorcroft became Chief Designer of the company’s Art Pottery Studio. Inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement and French Art Nouveau, Moorcroft created the famed Florian Ware. Vividly colored and finished with translucent glazes, these hand-decorated ceramics bore his signature or initials. Moorcroft’s artistry won global recognition, including a gold medal at the 1904 St Louis World’s Fair. But his growing fame reportedly led Macintyre to force him out, and in 1913, Moorcroft launched his own pottery in Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, bringing many old colleagues with him. Backed by Liberty & Co, who were keen to sell his ceramics in London, this partnership thrived for decades.

Among Moorcroft’s most captivating works are his miniatures, crafted between 1902 and 1915. Rarely more than three inches tall, these tiny masterpieces replicate his larger designs with amazing detail. Many were likely made as gifts—such as the tygs or loving cups from 1902–1904 with festive messages—and sold worldwide. Moorcroft even showcased miniature Pomegranate and Pansy pieces at the 1915 British Industries Fair.

The creation of Moorcroft’s miniatures required remarkable skill, and their delicate nature means few exist today. This scarcity, paired with their beauty, makes them prized by collectors. Production likely ended around 1915, after the death of chief thrower James Newman and the onset of World War I.