A twin handled mid size Moorcroft Western Isles 'Trial' vase.
The Western Isles designer was Sian Leeper.
The height is 18.5cm (7.28'').
The base markings include DESIGN TRIAL 5.10.06 and the 'Q' symbol which is the year cypher for 2006 showing this as the year the vase was made.
Moorcroft pattern designs start as trials and are produced by the designer until a final version is selected for production or a decision made not to proceed. Some collectors concentrate on trial items perhaps because of the individuality they offer (they are of course likely to be unique) or because they prefer a trial version to the final product.
The final Western Isles design is a Moorcroft Catalogue item and appears on pieces in the 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010 catalogues.
It is worth noting that the final design does not appear in these catalogues on the same twin handled vase shape as the design trial vase, hence this design trial item could be unique both in terms of the design and the shape of the vase it appears on.
The vase has been closely inspected and is considered to be in excellent condition. The glaze appears absolutely pristine with a clarity that highlights the colours superbly.
With a great deal of content in the design the vase would certainly stand out in many a collection of Moorcroft pottery, and of course given its physical size it may well be suitable to display as a stand alone item, as an alternative to been part of a collection.
This Moorcroft Western Isles trial vase is available online only however if visiting the Centre in York please visit Cabinet 138 situated on the Lower Ground Floor to view other examples of Moorcroft pottery from early vintage pieces to more modern items.
