A 3½ inch (9cm) tall Early Pansy miniature vase by William Moorcroft dating from 1914. The base carries the impressed Moorcroft and Burslem factory marks, the shape number M22 and William's hand-painted initials in green. The absence of the word 'ENGLAND' signifies this is a pre-1916 piece when the wording was changed to comply with international tariff regulations.
This piece shows 3 coloured Pansy flower heads surrounded by leaves on a graduated white through to cobalt blue ground. A rare and early pattern on a beautifully shaped miniature vase.
The vase is in lovely condition with no chips, cracks or restoration but shows some minor glaze crazing as is usual with pieces of this age. There is also a tiny glaze 'pop' just above the edge of the foot. This would have happened during the firing process and is due to a speck of dust or ash stuck in the glaze that produces a gas bubble that pops, leaving a small void. This in no way detracts from the beauty of this vase and should not put you off. Our price reflects this tiny flaw.
A really pretty miniature vase from the very early days of William Moorcroft's venture at the Cobridge works, and a worthy addition to any collection.
