Rare unusual Moorcroft "SAADIAN" JU2 jug, lovely condition signed Shirley Hayes

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Welcome to this particular Moorcroft auction where I have a highly collectable and rarely seen Moorcroft design. It is in the “SAADIAN” design here presented in the JU2 shape which, my research has shown, was eventually not developed in the final stages for retail. It has been signed by the designer. Consequently this piece is marked as a TRIAL piece and I would suggest very very few of these will be in existence. This design is by SHIRLEY HAYES (who started in 1992 at Moorcroft as a painter and remained until 2005) and I believe it was one of her earliest designs for Moorcroft. It is named after the SAADIAN princess of Morocco. It was produced between 2002 and 2003 and is one of Moorcroft`s more unusual colour schemes. It is quite a complex bold design which seems to generate an Arabian feel to it. Purples, blues and deep reds form the central theme. The pattern is repeated on both sides though the second appears to be a reversal of the first. On one side the pattern is set against a midnight blue ground while on the other side of the jug it is set against a gorgeous mid to light blue ground. All this is set against a deep aqua marine green ground to the top, bottom and handle of the piece and is continued on the inside. There is a small amount of green foliage. It has a mesmerising effect. This is a super, virtually unmarked item. For complete transparency I mention a pin head depression within the glaze on the top edge of the jug. (Photo 4). The glaze is unbroken and could easily be missed at first glance and in no way affects the quality and beauty of this Moorcroft piece. In all other respects the item is first quality. Whether for your own collection or buying as a present, this piece is indeed rather special at so many levels and looks stunning as well. There is no doubt it would be a display talking point. This jug stands 3.8 inches tall (9.5cm) and is 4.6 inches (11.5cm) at its widest point i.e. to the edge of the handle. It is a first quality Moorcroft item with NO silver line or red dot present. There are NO chips, cracks or any evidence of restoration whatsoever. There is NO crazing at all. I hope my honest description, photos and highly valued feedback will enable you to bid with absolute confidence in the quality of this item and the honesty/accuracy of my description. To help further, the first six photos were taken outdoors, the rest indoors (7 and 8 with flash). It is not an easy piece to photograph (in terms of getting a true representation of the aqua marine ground) but photos 2 and 11 come pretty close and show the difference between either side of the jug. On the base there are several very clear impressed marks. There is “Moorcroft – Made in Stoke on Trent, England. The word TRIAL and a date of 14.11.2001 are clearly visible. The leaf confirms this date. Apart from being SIGNED by Shirley Hayes it also has the words “best wishes”. It also has the initials SHA indicating Shirley Hayes was the painter while the initials GJ indicate Gillian Johnson was the tube liner. I have placed this on my usual three day auction; there is no reserve and a low start price. There is, as ever, no buy it now price and I usually only post to within the UK only. It will be packaged extremely securely and sent by Royal Mail first class signed for delivery ASAP after payment has been made. Here you have a chance of owning a signed Moorcroft TRIAL piece which is not only in SUPER condition but is possibly one of only a handful in existence. A very unusual design indeed! Thank you very much indeed for looking. read more

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