Moorcroft Inkwell, Pomegranite Pattern

This pottery inkwell was made by the well known English Moorcroft company. It has a squat, bulbous shape which gives it stability. It features the Pomegranate pattern, which was introduced in 1910 and used until the late 1930s. The hinged lid is plated metal (unsure of type). A stamp on the metal collar shows an H inside a circle, with “English Made” around the circle. The hinge is made so the lid stops when open (rather than flopping all the way down). The insert is an early plastic (bakelite?). It is the original insert.

The base is impressed with Moorcroft, and below that Burslem. Below that is what looks like “M” and a three digit number which is difficult to make out. An initial type signature (WM) is painted in green.

The Moorcroft company was founded by William Moorcroft, who began as a pottery designer in the late 19th century with the James MacIntyre & Company pottery.  He left that company in 1912 and began his own; by 1920 the Moorcroft pottery was well known. The company continues today to make highly desirable and collectible pottery pieces. They are most known for the use of tubing, which gives the designs almost the appearance of cloisonne. A rich deep royal blue background is also a signature of theirs. The Pomegranate pattern, which is no longer made, is a popular one for collectors.