Bowl

Add to album

This Wemyss ware bowl made at Robert Heron & Sons' pottery at Kirkcaldy in Fife. It dates from between around 1883 and 1930.

The bowl is decorated with hand-painted sweet peas. The shape is known as a 'Chesham Fern Pot'.

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. Wemyss Ware continued to be produced in Kirkcaldy, by a variety of decorators, until the factory closed in 1930.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-180-000-374-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.1994.249
• Date: Between around 1883 and 1930
  c. 1883 - 1930
  
• Material: Earthenware; paint, glaze. Inscription: WEMYSS [impressed mark]
  Vase, thistle
  
• Dimensions: 148 mm H x 65 mm D base
  
• What: Vase, thistle
  
• Subject: Post-medieval pottery and porcelain
  
• Who: Professor Peter H. Davis (Collector and owner)
  Robert Heron and Son, Fife Pottery, Kirkcaldy (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Fife, Kirkcaldy
  
• Event:
• Description: Wemyss Ware thistle-shaped vase hand painted with two groups of thistles, by Robert Heron and Son, Fife Pottery, Kirkcaldy, c. 1883 - 1930
  
• References:
  • Peter Davies & Robert Rankin, Wemyss ware: A Decorative Scottish Pottery, Scottish Academic Press, 1986 
• Translations:
• Related Records: