Ceramics & Glass

How to Date Wemyss Pottery: The Decorators & Their Marks

9 January 2024

Katherine Wright

The decorators of Wemyss Ware at Robert Heron & Sons rarely signed their work, however it is possible to date some Wemyss pottery of them through works that were signed, and from handwriting found in the job books.

Join Senior Specialist Katherine Wright below as she discusses the work of Wemyss Ware decorators Karel Nekola & James Sharp.

Illustrated: 2RH51K1 Undated handout photo issued by the University of Edinburgh of Karel Nekola, working on a project. A brooch made by Mr Nekola, a famous Bohemian craftsman who created ceramics for the royal family has gone on display at Kirkcaldy Galleries. Issue date: Monday August 14, 2023. Credit: PA Images / Alamy

Scottish Wemyss Ware

Find out more about our Ceramics & Glass department, specialist and auctions.

The Work of Karel Nekola & James Sharp

Senior Specialist Katherine Wright discusses the two superb vases that featured in our 24 January 2024 auction of The George Bellamy Collection.

The Decorators & Their Marks

Sometimes the artists did not paint marks and only the impressed factory markings are evident, making it difficult to identify the artist, although some painting styles are easier to identify than others. Discover the decorators and marks below.

Karel Nekola (1857-1915)

Karel Nekola (1857-1915) began his working life as a carpenter in Bohemia but an accident led him to take up pottery decoration. He moved to Gallatown near Kirkcaldy at the behest of Robert Heron who had met him in Paris.

He was an enthusiastic walker, and his long walks took him all over Fife, making watercolour sketches and storing up information about the plants and animals he would draw inspiration from in decorating Wemyss Ware and developing its distinctive style. In his later years the factory built a kiln for him in the garden, and he continued to decorate and fire pots at home.

Joseph (Joe) Nekola

Joseph (Joe) Nekola was the son of Karel Nekola and joined the pottery in 1899. He spent two years in Buffalo, USA from 1910-12 before returning to the pottery for a short period.

His final stint was between 1928 and 1930, when the factory closed. Joe negotiated the sale of the moulds etc. to the Bovey Tracey pottery in Devon and moved there to continue producing Wemyss Ware.

James Sharp (1868-1937)

James Sharp (1868-1937) is likely to have worked at the factory from around 1883 to around 1919. He was one of the most talented of the early decorators.

Edwin Sandland (1873-1928)

Edwin Sandland (1873-1928) was a talented and prolific decorator who joined the pottery from 1916 to 1928. He came from a long line of master potters and his father owned the firm of Sandlands Ltd in Hanley, Staffordshire.

Although he, like Robert Heron himself, had learnt all the processes associated with pottery production it was in decorating that he excelled. He joined Robert Heron & Son as decorator where he remained until his death at 54 in 1928.

David Grinton

David Grinton (at the factory from around 1883-1922) did piece work at the Pountney Pottery near Bristol around 1907, although for the majority of time between around 1883 and 1922 he worked at Robert Heron & Son.

Identifying the Age of Wemyss Ware | Additional Makers' Marks

Other decorators also worked at the factory but to date it has not been possible to positively identify their marks. They include Christina McKinnon, Hugh McKinnon, John Brown, James Adamson, and Carl Nekola, brother of Joe.

Dating Wemyss Ware from impressed or other marks is difficult and, as was often the case, makers probably used whichever stamp was to hand. In the vast majority of cases Wemyss Ware is marked in one way or another. Often the wares are marked with the transferred cartouche of the London firm Thomas Goode & Co. of South Audley Street, Mayfair who had exclusive rights to Wemyss Ware and a special Wemyss Room dedicated to the range. This mark can often confirm a Wemyss piece in the rare absence of a factory mark and was sometimes hand-painted by the decorator.

Should you wish to find out how much your Wemyss Ware could achieve at auction, please contact us for a complimentary valuation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR