THE market for good examples of early Moorcroft is as buoyant as ever as the crowds at Philip Serrell's May fine art auction were able to witness.

When one vase was offered there were loud gasps in the saleroom as bidders in the room and on nthe telephones pushed the price up.

The vase - dating from 1911 - was decorated in the Pomegranate pattern and bore a signature of William Moorcroft. Originally vases like this would have been sold at places such as Liberty.

The high level of interest in this particular vase was due to a combination of its age and good condition. The hammer finally fell to a buyer from the south of England who paid £2,400.