Stone Life December 2013/January 2014 | Page 22

MOORCROFT TV antiques expert ‘Knowles H istoric Staffordshire pottery company Moorcroft, is this year celebrating an entire century since its inauguration. The iconic art pottery, which is still made today entirely by hand in nearby Burslem in Stoke-onTrent marked the occasion with a two day exhibition launch on Friday and Saturday 8th and 9th November at the Potteries Museum complete with a visit from a top television personality. Celebrity antiques expert, Eric Knowles from the BBC’s popular Antiques Roadshow was there on the Saturday undertaking free Antiques Roadshow expert Eric Knowles and Moorcroft designer Rachel Bishop at the exibition at the Potteries Museum. Artist Alison Edwards is pictured with the author of ‘William Moorcroft Behind The Glaze’ Neil Swindells as they met visitors to the exibition at the Potteries Museum. 22 December 2013/ January 2014 ceramic identifications for visitors who came along to the event which unveiled an exhibition of 100 pieces of art pottery and historic archives, allowing onlookers to see the changing face of surface design and shape in Moorcroft’s illustrious history. As well as the exhibition itself the event also included an exciting array of interesting activities including craft demonstrations, lectures and even a book signing with author, Neil Swindells, who has recently unearthed hidden mysteries surrounding the life of William Moorcroft in his book ‘Behind The Glaze.’ Said to be the ‘jewel in the Potteries crown’ Moorcroft is still very much a living art pottery with each piece of earthenware pottery made locally entirely by hand from start to finish creating shapes and surface desig