WEMYSS WARE
The bright colours, solid shapes and somewhat naïve decoration of Wemyss Ware [ pronounced ‘ weems ‘] is unique, distinctive and unmistakable. The name of this Scottish pottery came from Wemyss Castle, situated not far from the factory and owned by the Grosvenor family, who were very supportive of the product and resulted in it becoming very popular among the nobility and upper classes .
To those familiar with this pottery, the very name conjures up a vision of smirking cats, frowning pigs, roses, flowers and fruit everywhere, jet black cockerels strutting around the outside of mugs or honey bees buzzing around jam pots, jugs and egg cups.
Wemyss Ware was first produced by the pottery of Robert Heron & Son in Kircaldy, Fife, Scotland from 1882 – 1930. Seeking a new look for his wares and following a trip around Europe, Robert Heron decided to employ a group of Bohemian Artists. One of these artists was a man named Karel Nekola who became artistic director and developed a range of decorative motifs and colour schemes that continued until 1930 when the factory closed down mainly due to the Depression and a changing of tastes among the public.
The rights to Wemyss and the moulds were then bought by Bovey Pottery in Devon England. Joseph Nekola – Karel’s son and a Wemyss painter in his own right, moved to the Devon pottery and carried on painting the wares. He trained a few highly privileged pupils in the secret techniques of the under-glaze painting – especially the cabbage rose. Among these pupils was a girl named Esther Weeks, who proved to be a very able painter and was Josephs chosen successor. After his death in 1952 she continued to paint until 1957 when Wemyss ware stopped being produced due to closure of the factory once again. The rights to the Wares were then bought by Royal Doulton.
In 1984 Griselda Hill, an Art Teacher from London moved to Fife and had the idea of resurrecting Wemyss Ware in its original home.
Since 1993 there has been a direct link between the original pottery and Karel Nekola through Esther Weeks, as she still paints a few pieces for the pottery and most importantly, has passed on her knowledge to a new generation of painters.
In 1994 the company acquired the Wemyss trade mark and as it uses the original under-glaze technique and everything is hand-painted in the original manner, Wemyss Ware, can truly be said, to be resurrected.
This distinctive and unique pottery has stood the test of time and some of the early pieces have proved to be very good investments. Sotheby’s recently held a sale at Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland and two of the original pigs sold for 34,800 Pounds sterling each!
It is to be noted also that Wemyss Ware found its way to the colonies and was stocked by most large Department stores in Capital cities at the beginning of the Twentieth century. It is recorded Zieglers of Regent Street London and Wallace Findlay of Hatton Gardens were export agents for the Wemyss ware range.
Now in 2005 Indulgence Antiques in Templestowe Victoria is the sole Agent in Australia for Wemyss Ware and would be delighted to send any information to anyone wishing to buy this most distinctive and collectable pottery. Trade enquiries are also welcome.
Indulgence Antiques
1/112 James Street.
Templestowe Village
Victoria 3106 Tel:03 9846 6944
www.indulgenceantiques.com.au
Email: elliehaw@hotmail.com
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