Online Moorcroft The Smiling Quokkas Vase – Ltd Ed 30 Moorcroft

Moorcroft The Smiling Quokkas Vase

2023 Commonwealth Day Collection – Australia

Designer: Vicky Lovatt

Limited Edition of 30 only

Shape: 117/7

Dimensions: H 17.5 x W 12 x D 12cm

When National Geographic describes an animal as the “happiest on earth,” it is not surprising that designer would wish to bring such joy to a Moorcroft design. Vicky has captured the Quokkas ‘teddy bear face’, complete with brown fur, a round nose, rounded fluffy ears, and of course, its mouth set in a permanent smile, in three differing poses. Originally discovered by Dutch Explorers, who mistook them for large rats, unfairly deeming their native Western Australian island “Rotte nest,” or rat nest, the Quokka is probably Australia’s most charismatic resident.

Holding his head to one side, the first quokka is depicted lifting a pair of rather short, front paws, and straddling sideways to reveal a slightly hunched, stocky body and long rear legs, as a curious paddle-shaped tail disappears into vibrant, violet-coloured Rottnest Island daisies.

These warm-blooded little creatures only give birth to one baby at a time, and to capture this dedication, the second window in this design showcases mother and joey, protected within a marsupial pouch, in a touching moment of intimacy. If this was not enough, the third window, holds a quokka on the watch for birds of prey and dingoes, popping up above the daisies like an inquisitive sentry under the silhouettes of Rottnest tea-trees, arching above.