Brooch created by craftsman who made ceramics for royals goes on display

Karel Nekola’s brooch is on display at Kirkcaldy Galleries, Fife.

Karel Nekola’s brooch he designed for his wife, on display until May (OnFife/PA)

A brooch made by a famous Bohemian craftsman who created ceramics for the royal family has gone on display.

Karel Nekola, who founded Wemyss Ware in 1882, had gifted a floral-patterned brooch to his wife more than 100 years ago.

The brooch is now on loan at Kirkcaldy Galleries at the request of Mr Nekola’s granddaughter.

During his career, Mr Nekola created a ceramic goblet for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee – which featured in a BBC documentary.

The brooch, which is on display until May, is one of four that Mr Nekola designed for his wife and three daughters between 1910 and 1915.

Also on show is a plate signed by Mr Nekola, depicting Dysart harbour, Fife, as well as paints and a brush thought to have belonged to the artist.

Mr Nekola was headhunted for his works in the Czech Republic in 1883 and quickly made his mark in Kirkcaldy with Fife Pottery, eventually becoming the company’s chief designer.

He married Isabella Thomson in 1884 and the couple had six children together.

When his health began to deteriorate in 1910, he set up shop at home so he could continue his work. He died in 1915.

Fife Pottery was the largest ceramic factory in Kirkcaldy during his tenure, having exported goods worldwide.

By the 1930s, the company ceased trading due to cheaper alternatives, overseas competition and economic depression.

The rights to the Wemyss Ware brand were later bought by a ceramics company in Devon and later by manufacturer Royal Doulton.

They were eventually bought by Griselda Hill Pottery in Ceres, where the brand is produced today.

Cultural charity OnFife, which runs Kirkcaldy Galleries, cares for more than 1,000 objects associated with local pottery production – as well as photographs and archive material.

Curators are working with volunteers from Fife Pottery Society to ensure that items held at OnFife’s Collections Centre in Glenrothes can be more readily appreciated by visitors.

OnFife Collections curator Jane Freel said: “We are delighted to make such a charming, personal item accessible to our visitors over the coming year.

“The brooch sits very well with other pieces in our collection that were decorated by this significant artist.”