MacIntyre / Moorcroft

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This selection of items is from the MacIntyre Pottery with  later items produced by the Moorcroft Pottery after William Moorcroft left the employ of MacIntyre in 1913.

James MacIntyre was a successful pottery established in the late 1830's in Burslem, England producing a full range of table wares and other utilitarian pottery items. The pottery was known as MacIntyre's "Washington Works." Late in the 18th century the pottery began developing some more decorative lines as can be seen in the small slip decorated condiment set. These were produced in 1878 according to the registry marks. Ca 1894 MacIntyre produced a series of designs by Wildig under the name "Washington Faience" as illustrated by the pitcher on the left. This was followed by the "Gesso Faience" line developed by Harry Barnard who had come from Doulton's and left in 1897 for Wedgwood. William Moorcroft came to work for MacIntyre in 1897 and became the chief designer in 1898. His earliest pieces are the Aurelian Ware transfer pieces that eventually evolved into the 1902 Florian Ware designs that represented the first full expression of his artistic concepts. The later Green and Gold Florian designs represent a combination of the earlier and later concepts. There were many variations on the Florian theme from the original flower patterns to scenic designs.

Moorcroft left MacIntyre in 1913 to establish his own factory in Cobridge. The dark blue glaze with floral patterns are typical of the early 1920's. A later development was the use of an overglaze typically in a reddish flambé. A variety of designs of a floral theme mark the renaissance period of the Moorcroft firm in the 1990's.

After the departure of Moorcroft, MacIntyre discontinued the art pottery lines, but did continue to make a wide range of utilitarian and commemorative pieces. They were especially prolific with coronation and royal event pieces finished on order for a wide range of local retail establishments.

A number of the pieces can be dated through their registry marks or numbers.