Preserve jar

This Wemyss ware preserve jar was made at Robert Heron & Sons' pottery at Kirkcaldy in Fife. It dates from between around 1883 and 1930 and was possibly decorated by Edwin Sandland.

The jar is decorated with hand-painted cherries.

In the 19th century, Scottish potteries grew in number to meet the increased demand. The largest firms were near the Forth and Clyde rivers and Kirkcaldy became a major centre for potteries. Robert Heron & Co. were famous for their brightly painted, highly fashionable and expensive Wemyss Ware. The characteristic freely-painted decoration was introduced by Karel Nekola, a Czech who arrived in Kirkcaldy in 1883. Edwin Sandland took over as chief decorator at Herons from 1916 until 1928. He came from a family of potters in Hanley in Staffordshire. The use of a black background was an innovation of his period. Heron's factory finally closed in 1930.

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