When Walter Moorcroft designed his "After the Storm" vase (available for order during the Moorcroft 1997 centenary year only), it was a stunning piece. The subject, the way the design fitted the shape, the colours - everything fulfilled his aims for his final piece! It was also very large and difficult to fit into many homes.

However, it transpired that Moorcroft had also created a smaller trial version, produced by tubeliners and paintresses as they trained for the larger version. Some of these were subsequently made available to the public in very limited numbers at the Moorcroft factory shop. This example measures an impressive, but more manageable 10.5" high by 5.5" across the shoulders.

Needless to say, there are far fewer of these trial pieces around than the full sized versions - in all believed to be only around 50. Although this vase is dated 1998 (the "iron" date mark), when the large vase was only available in 1997, the skills and time required to fulfil those orders meant that staff were still being trained well into 1998.

The design of a tree with fields in the background is repeated 3 times around the vase, with each scene being slightly different. The use of colour and shading is masterful, with the overall effect being very calm, moody and relaxing. As far as we know, the only difference between this vase and the larger version is that on this vase, there are no clouds. 

This vase is in mint condition and comes complete with it's original box. It is fully marked on it's base (see photos). It is signed and dated (10-8-98) by Walter Moorcroft and carries the monogram of tubeliner Catherine Beech (Smith). We noticed that there was no paintress mark and after some detective work behind the scenes, the work was claimed by Sharon Austin who kindly signed it for us.

Don't miss this chance to own Walter Moorcroft's final design. He came out of retirement to design this vase, as his very special way of celebrating Moorcroft's centenary. 

Walter Moorcroft died in 2002 at the age of 85.

This is a real piece of Moorcroft history!