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WEMYSS WARE
Wemyss Ware was developed in the early 1880’s as a commercial venture by the Fife Pottery in Kirkcaldy. The driving force behind the success of this glorious “back to nature” conception was the owner of the pottery, Robert Heron.
With the patronage of the Grosvenor family at near by Wemyss Castle and with the genius of Karel Nekola, a young Bohemian artist, Robert Heron developed a unique style and quality of painting on pottery which was quickly acclaimed for its decorative originality by the fashionable world.
A century later, Wemyss Ware is keenly collected by discerning enthusiasts who compete vigorously for rare and choice pieces. |
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The story of Wemyss starts in the 1880’s. The story is romantic.
Wemyss was the brainchild of Robert Heron, the cultured owner of the Fife Pottery, who, returning from the “Grand Tour” brought back a group of craftsmen from Bohemia to develop a new concept in decoration: Their leader, Karel Nekola, remained to become Heron’s master painter.
Wemyss Ware as painted by Nekola, was an immediate success, very largely thanks to the patronage of Miss Dora Wemyss of Wemyss Castle (later to become Lady Henry Grosvenor). |
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Its reputation soon expanded beyond Scotland and came to the notice of Thomas Goode & Company of South Audley Street, Mayfair, who obtained the exclusive selling rights in London. From buttons to bedroom sets, Nekola’s free style of painting was given full reign and by the turn of the century Wemyss Ware was perhaps at its peak. Jam pots, jardinières, candlesticks and inkstands were produced in a fascinating range of shapes, sizes and patterns.
Nekola died in 1915 and was succeeded by Edwin Sandland, a gifted painter from Staffordshire.
In 1930, the economic depression finally closed the Fife Pottery. The rights and moulds were bought by the Bovey Pottery Company of Bovey Tracey in Devon, who employed Joseph Nekola, Karel’s son, to continue the tradition. Later, the sole agency passed to a Czech, Jan Plichta. Under him, Joseph continued to paint incomparable nursery pigs and cats. He died in 1952, and Plichta later sold the rights to Royal Doulton. |
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In 1980, to commemorate the centenary of Wemyss and the birthday of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, an exclusive edition of five hundred Goblets was produced by Rogers de Rin and Royal Doulton.
This continues the Wemyss tradition of Commemorative Pottery to mark Royal occasions, such as Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, the coronation of Edward VII, Queen Alexandra and of George V and Queen Mary.
Designed by Alan Carr Linford, the Goblet bears the Royal Cypher with the gracious permission of Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother; and represents, in characteristically bold colours, the Thistle, Rose, Shamrock, and Leek of Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales. |
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Number one of the edition was reserved for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and, thanks to the generosity of Sotheby’s, Goblet number five hundred was auctioned for the benefit of The National Trust for Scotland and the Star’s Organisation for Spastic’s, who also received a royalty on every Goblet sold. |
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The Tapestry Collection
Rogers de Rin have now branched into a new field and now present, “THE TAPESTRY COLLECTION”. The First Edition of this needlework represents a Scottish Wemyss Ware Cat decorated with dog roses and captures the characteristic enigmatic smile, size 18” x 12”. Price £28.75 to include printed canvas in full colour, wools, needle and instructions (ten holes to inch). Postage and packing £1.50 U.K. – Overseas extra
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The definitive book on Wemyss Ware is called, “ WEMYSS WARE, a decorative Scottish Pottery.”
Presented by Victoria de Rin and David Macmillan.
Written by Peter Davis and Robert Rankine.’
Published 1986. Scottish Academic Pres Ltd.
A new book is planned for next year to be published by Antique Shop of Great Britain. |
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'Come and visit our Collector's Room.' |
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