Vases from the personal collection of the popular Staffordshire-born ceramicist, Kerry Goodwin – one of Moorcroft’s best-loved designers – are set to put collectors in a spin this month.
The collection, which goes under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers’ Etwall saleroom on February 13, includes rare prototypes which never went into production, as well as sought-after pieces from limited editions.
One of the highlights of the 14-piece collection, is a hand-decorated trial vase in the Moonshine design, dated 2013, which is expected to make up to £500.
Hansons Auctioneers’ ceramics specialist, Rob Churchill – who worked at Moorcroft before joining the auction house – said: “Art pottery like Moorcroft does not jump straight from idea to shop shelf. It is the result of a long process which includes trial designs by the artist.
“We are lucky to have a wonderful personal collection for sale directly consigned by Kerry herself, including a trial version of Moorcroft’s Moonshine design which went on to be produced in a limited numbers, and never in this particular colour combination – making it incredibly rare.”
Other trial pieces include rare Snake vase, which designed by Goodwin in 2006 – one of only two ever produced – which is expected to make £250-£350.
Rob continued: “The design, featuring two entwined cobras is as stunning as it is rare because the design never went into production.”
The bottom of the 31cm tall vase is marked marked “Des Trial” standing for designers’ trial.
Rob said: “A designer’s trial piece is the first physical realisation of a new design in clay. It is decorated exactly as the designer intends the final production version to look. They rarely appear for sale and are very collectable.”
Another trial vase, this one in the Pine Marten design, created by Goodwin in 2009, is also in colours different from those that ultimately went into production. The 25.5cm high vase has an estimate of £80-£120.
As well as trial pieces the collection includes signed, limited-edition vases including Goodwin’s Highland Stags, 84 in an edition of 100, which has an estimate of £300-£400.
Rob said: “Although this is small collection, Kerry is an acclaimed ceramicist and one of the more popular Moorcroft designers with collectors.”
Goodwin, who trained at the Burslem Art College, joined the Moorcroft in 2000, having previously worked at Beswick where she decorated Beatrix Potter figures.
Rob said: “Within a short period of time Moorcroft spotted her potential as an artist and promoted her to its prestigious Moorcroft Design Studio.”
Known for her quirky designs, many inspired by wildlife, she also created pieces for the Moorcroft’s offshoot companies, Cobridge Stoneware (1998–2005) and Black Ryden (2002–2005).
Like other Moorcroft designers, Goodwin’s designs were developed first in freehand before being translated to clay and finished with Moorcroft’s traditional tubelined technique.
Rob said: “These trial pieces are ideally placed to understand Kerry’s creative involvement before final pottery production.”
Moorcroft pottery has its roots in Staffordshire. In 1897, pottery James Macintyre & Co discovered a prodigious talent in the shape of 24-year-old designer William Moorcroft. Within a year he was in charge of the company’s art pottery studio.
By 1904, his art nouveau-influenced Florian ware – a design that perfected the technique of trailing slip known as tube-lining – had won him a gold medal at the St Louis International Exhibition.
Backed by the famous London store of Liberty & Co., where many of his products were sold, Moorcroft was able to open an art pottery factory of his own in 1913, on Sandbach Road, Cobridge, Staffordshire.
When William Moorcroft died in 1945 his elder son Walter took over management and design.
Today its pottery is designed by members of the Moorcroft Design Studio – a handful of select artists, each highly skilled to produce the Moorcroft distinctive art nouveau style.
Auction Details
Auction: Derby February Two-Day Antiques & Collectors Auction
Auction date: 13th – 16th February 2026 | 10am
Location: Hansons’ Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
