Q: I have a pottery biscuit barrel. It is pale orange colour and has a silver plated lid. On the base it has the name Moorcroft. What can you tell me about it?

Mrs T.

Moorcroft is a well-established pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, noted for its unusual and often floral products, which are collected worldwide. The item you mention appears to be an example of some lustre wares the firm produced in the 1915-1920 period. Examples are quite scarce but as they appear visually less attractive than the more traditional Moorcroft patterns, they have more limited appeal. Value would be £150-£200.