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Ruby Neevay
RUBY NEEVAY, WEMBLEY WARE & RUBY’S ROSES.
Ruby Neevay was a ceramic artist who worked as a ceramic decorator on the range of Wembley Ware figures at Brisbane and Wunderlich Pottery Division, Subiaco, Western Australia.
Ruby joined Brisbane and Wunderlich in 1940 when she was 15 years of age. At the time, the business had just changed from Calyx Pottery to Brisbane and Wunderlich.
In those days most people stayed in their jobs for many years and Ruby was of this generation, working forty five years at the pottery until she retired at 60. Since then, she has worked in her own business making ceramic floral tributes for graves. Her career in pottery has so far spanned over 70 years, Ruby continued to make her ceramic decorations until her death in 2012.
Ruby’s first work was fettling jugs. In this process the fragile clay article is hand cleaned and the seams removed. Ruby broke the first jug she picked up. The fettling process is tedious and slow with some operators only managing less than twenty articles per shift. With Ruby’s love of pottery and dexterous fingers she began achieving 60 articles per shift and became the department’s “pacemaker”.
One of the other ladies working with Ruby used to hand paint articles at home. The management at the time recognised her potential and she was moved into the decorating area. Ruby would join her friend in decorating during the breaks and helped with guilding ceramic horses. She was asked to join the decorators working on Wembley Ware and immediately warmed to the new challenge. One of the popular techniques used on Wembley Ware was aerographing or producing a fine tapered colour effect using a very small spray gun. This was one of Ruby’s favourite techniques and one she used on her floral grave decorations.
four decorators, Ruby second left
Ruby aerographing
A German lady joined the decorating team who had previously made ceramic floral decorations. These flowers were added to some of the Wembley Ware cast pieces. Ruby was about 26 years old at the time and loved to watch the techniques used in ceramic flower making. She learnt to make the ceramic flowers herself and to decorate them.
At that time, Ruby’s Uncle died and she asked the management if she could make a ceramic cross with ceramic roses for her uncle. A cross was made and the management approached local monumental masons to see whether a market existed as an extension of Wembley Ware.
The Monumental Masons were enthusiastic by the prospect of a local and respected supplier making the grave decorations.
Over the next 35 years Ruby made thousands of the floral ceramic tributes for cemeteries and examples of Ruby’s work can be seen in grave yards all over Western Australia.
As Ruby approached retirement, a new manager was appointed at the pottery and he did not want to continue with the floral tributes, especially as Ruby was leaving.
This was devastating for Ruby and she embarked on a plan to continue making ceramic flowers and to call the project Ruby’s Roses. As she had very little technical expertise, Ruby asked the Works Chemist to help her. The Works Chemist already had a ceramic studio and suggested Ruby produce the ceramic flowers there. Some 26 years later, Ruby was still enthusiastically making the floral tributes. Some of the customers knew Ruby for many years and as a mark of their respect, they called her Mrs. Neevay.
Ruby’s Roses has a website at www.rubysroses.com.au
One of the thousands of graves throughout Australia decorated with Ruby’s ceramic tributes
Charles Todd 2011
Wembley Ware Museum
WANTED: A WEMBLEY WARE MUSEUM FOR SUBIACO.
We need YOUR SUPPORT to make the museum a reality.
The china which was produced 1921 to 2006, during 85 years of production of the pottery factory in Hay Street, Subiaco, Western Australia was once commonplace on the tables of Australian homes, but today it is considered to be far from ordinary. Private collectors and art galleries are always looking for that special item for their collection and some are prepared to pay a high price for it.
Whether you are talking about Calyx Ware, Bristile China, Wembley Ware or Australian Fine China, all of the china is unique, made in the longest-running potteryworks in Western Australia. Wembley Ware is the most well-known of the types of china. The beautiful lustre items were popular as gifts, wedding presents etc.
The potters who moulded and shaped the Wembley Ware in particular were fine artists, some of them were sculptors and also painters of repute, as were those artists who painted and finished the various pieces.
THE CHINA IS THE STORY
Each finished piece of pottery tells the whole story – from the piece of clay, through the designer, modeller, the firing process to the painter and finisher, ready for retail through the on-site factory shop.
The china is an important part of Australian history, and particularly Western Australian history.
A Wembley Ware museum displaying examples of all the various types of china should be at the centre of the heritage and history, and displayed on the china factory site which is being re-devloped by the SRA ( now MRA)
A Wembley Ware Museum will be a valuable asset to the City of Subiaco. With the factory site being returned to the City of Subiaco by the developers we looked to the Subiaco City Council to provide a Wembley Ware Museum for the people.
The plans for heritage displays on the re-devloped factory site make no provision for the display of any finished pottery items.
Surveys and public workshops in Subiaco demonstrate that history and culture are highly valued by the community. The provision of a Wembley Ware Museum would fill this important need. A Wembley Ware Museum would attract tourists to visit as well as being popular with the local community.
Sadly the neither the MRA or the City of Subiaco has any plans for a Wembley Ware Museum or a showcase displaying the china to be erected on the AFC site. Nor does the City have any other site in mind at this stage. The City of Subiaco have given their support through the involment of bothe the Subiaco Library and the Subiaco Museum in our very successful Wembley Ware Week initiatives. The City is appreciated for its support of the Wembley Ware Society to bring this wonderful 85 years’ history into focus as part of the heritage of the Subiaco community.
Wembley Ware and the other pottery items are still around to tell the amazing story. As is the nature of pottery, the items will be around for many years to come. These china, porcelain and pottery items have been desribed as art. This is not modern art but it is art of its time; bearing the marks of it’s makers who belong to that group of people who formed the industrial community on which Subiaco is founded.
Help to make a permanant Wembley Ware Display/ Museum
a reality.
* Join the Wembley Ware Society
* Write to the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority to ask them to consider providing a Wembley Ware Museum on the AFC site.
* Write to the Mayor and Councillors at City of Subiaco to ask for support for a Wembley Ware Museum.
* Raise awareness among others about the importance of putting this heritage item on display in Subiaco.
* Write to the Subiaco Post Newspaper to express your views about a Wembley Ware Museum.
Contact the Wembley Ware Society Inc. if you can help in any way info@wembleyware.org
Wembley Ware Week
WEMBLEY WARE WEEK 2013
This annual event opens in Subiaco WA
Friday 15th March closes Sunday 24th March 2013
An opening event will be held in the Subiaco Library, 237 Rokeby Road Subiaco at 6pm.
Guest speakers will present a short film about a critical time in the history of the china factory. Items of Calyx Pottery, Wembley Ware, Bristile and Australian Fine China from the Subiaco Museum’s collection will be on display
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL AS PLACES ARE LIMITED. To book contact the City on 92379300 or email library@subiaco.wa.gov.au
During Wembley Ware Week , Subiaco businesses in and around Rokeby Road will display items of Calyx Pottery, Wembley Ware, Bristile China and Australian Fine China in their stores and shop windows.
Wembley Ware Society Inc INFORMATION STAND at the Subi Farmers Market in Bagot Road from 8am to 12 noon on Saturday 16th and Saturday 23rd March 2013.
See the Wembley Ware Society at the Park Street Markets (near Crossways Shopping Centre) in Subiaco on Sunday 17 March from 11 am to 4 pm.
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WEMBLEY WARE WEEK March 2012
WEMBLEY WARE WEEK 2012 was a great success and looks like becoming a regular event on the Subiaco calendar.
The object of bringing the china and its story to the community was acheived. Interest in the terrific displays which the Subiaco business owners created in their shop windows was high. It was fantastic to see people moving around between the shops and venturing inside to get a better look at the items. Events and displays in the Musuem and Librarywere very well attended. Many people visited the Wembley Ware Information Stall at the Subi Farmers Market and it was great to meet so many of you.
Whichever way you look at it, this was a wonderful week for Wembley Ware.
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General Meetings
EVENTS CALENDAR
Please contact info@wembleyware.org for more information
WEMBLEY WARE SOCIETY INC GENERAL MEETING was held on Saturday 9th February 2013
The meeting was held at a Mystery Location in Canning Vale, the location of which was revealed just in time for the members to make their way there.
Twenty two members and guests attended the delightful venue in a coffee-shop situated in a garden centre. The well-stocked and interesting antique shop nearby was a temptation. An impressive collection of lovely pieces of Wembley Ware was displayed and many purchases were made by the members.
Plenty of time was allowed for chatting over afternoon tea and all agreed that it was a most successful day.
Mystery Meeting 9 Feb 2013
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WEMBLEY WARE SOCIETY INC GENERAL MEETING was held in Subiaco WA, on SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2012
Former Brisbane & Wunderlich employees Arthur Wells and Dirk Meier presented ‘Pictures From the Archives’.
‘Recent Finds’ included many very interesting items.
The Auction proved to be a popular and successful event.
A sale of some of the work of Ruby Neevay was held with her ‘Ruby’s Roses’ items for sale to the members.
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14 July ,2012
WEMBLEY WARE SOCIETY INC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING was held in Subiaco W.A.
Election of officers was held. Elected were-
Chairman Susan Wann
Vice chairman vacant
Secretary Robert Cock
Treasurer Mike Kowen
Committee Kaye Cook, Graham Chave
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28 April, 2012
WEMBLEY WARE SOCIETY GENERAL MEETING was held in Subiaco W.A.
Films were shown: 1952 Newsclip of ‘Pottery Making in W.A.’ and ‘Wembley Ware Week 2012 – event in Subiaco Library’.
An auction of Wembley Ware and related itmes was held as well as ‘Find of the Month’ opportunity for members to display, discuss and talk about their item.
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17 December, 2011
Wembley Ware Society General Meeting was held in Subiaco.
The program included some time for socialising and refreshments and also a display and explanation of members’ recently purchased items. This was very interesting with several uncommon items of Wembley Ware, Calyx, Australian Fine China and Bristile being shown.
Dirk Meier was a very popular Guest Speaker, having worked at the china factory for 50 years. We hope Dirk will be back to address us again in 2012.
It was a terrific opportuinity to meet with other collectors and people interested in the china, and the committee would love to see even more members attending future meetings.
Those present were asked for feedback and suggestions for how the society could meet the member’s needs. A request was made for members to join the committee and/or help in particular roles such as website manager, assistance in setting-up meetings etc.
We look forward to more Wembley Ware Society events in 2012.
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14 May 2011
The Wembley Ware Society General Meeting
A very successful meeting of members was held in Subiaco this month.
This was a great opportunity for members to meet and several films covering the making of the china, early times at the china factory, closing of the factory and collectors and their collections were shown.
It is proposed to hold more meetings for members of the Wembley Ware Society in the future.
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Subiaco
*SUBIACO IS THE HOME OF WEMBLEY WARE*
The City of Subiaco is proud of it’s connection to the china factory, and the generations of workers and honours the links to heritage in the City.
Wembley Ware Week was held in Subiaco for the first time in 2012.
In March 2013 Wembley Ware Week was again celebrated by the Wembley Ware Society in the City of Subiaco. A full report on the week’s events will be published on this website.
The City of Subiaco has expressed an interest in making Wembley Ware Week an annual event on the city’s calendar.
City of Subiaco website
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REDEVELOPMENT
The site where the china factory stood for 85 years is currently being redeveloped into a mixed commercial/residential precinct. At the end of 2011 the SRA returned the developed site to the City of Subiaco.
Offers are being sought from parties interested in buiding on this site.
China Factory Site Redevelopment
DECEMBER 2010
WEMBLEY WARE SOCIETY GOES OUT IN SUBIACO
Wembley Ware Stall Subi Farmers Market Dec 2010
The Wembley Ware group set up a stall at the Subiaco Farmers Market Saturday 11 December 2010. A perfect sunny day and we had so many visitors.
The response was fantastic. Everyone was in favour of there being a Wembley Ware Museum/Heritage Centre built on the Australian Fine China site in Hay Street, Subiaco.
Many commented with sadness at the amount of history which has been destroyed by the developers, on the site which is heritage listed. Some of the people we spoke to were former workers at the china factory. It was great to meet them and to hear about the work they did in the china production
Treasure Hunt and Surprising Discoveries
Pieces of Wembley Ware can still be found at swap meets, garage sales, house clearance sales and hidden in the cupboards of uncles, aunts, parents, grand parents etc.
These items can be bought and sold through a number of outlets and we would be happy to advise about your find.
Please contact us through our “forum” page above.
Surprising Discoveries
Ootong & Lincoln , interesting restaurant with fabulous food in South Fremantle, serve their meals on Wembley Ware plates. Nick says it is the gorgeous carnival colours and the oval shape of the plates which reminded him of the 1950s and are perfect for the style of his restaurant.
History of the Society
HISTORY OF THE WEMBLEY WARE SOCIETY INC
MAY 2010 A notice was placed in the ‘CAN YOU HELP?’ section of the West Australian Newspaper on 10 May 2010. From the tremendous number of responses received from all over Australia, I could see that there was a big interest in the china from Subiaco and I was delighted that I was hearing not only from collectors, but from people who had worked at the china factory or families of these workers. So the concept of the Wembley Ware Society was formed.
OCT 2010 This month marked the first issue of the Wembley Ware Society Newsletter. Our newsletter continues to be published six times a year and is sent to all members. It includes up-to-date information plus illustrations, on meetings and events. There are articles on topics related to the china and items of historical interest in each edition.
DEC 2010 An information stall was set up at the SUBI FARMERS MARKET in Perth on December 11, 2010 as a means of promoting the china, its history and community interest it the heritage of the china factory. There was much interest in the emergence of the Wembley Ware Society and strong support for the concept of a Wembley Ware Museum/Heritage Centre on the factory site.
MAY 2011 An enthusiastic group of people gathered on 14 May 2011, in a hall in Subiaco to meet othercollectors and watch some archived films about Wembley Ware and the china factory. The meeting decided that the Wembley Ware Society form an interim committee to establish defined objectives as was discussed, and to pursue incorporation.
MARCH 2012 Inaugural WEMBLEY WARE WEEK was held in Subiaco, WA 24 March to 1 April 2012.
MAY 2012 The Wembley Ware Society was granted Incorporation this month.
JULY 2012 The first Annual General Meeting of the Wembley Ware Society Inc. was held 14 July 2012. Elected to office were-
Chairman: Susan Wann, Vice Chairman: -, Secretary: Robert Cock, Treasurer: Mike Kouwen, Committee: Graham Chave, Kaye Cook.
MARCH 2013
The second Wembley Ware Week was held in Subiaco. Twenty shops participated with dispalys of Wembley Ware, Calyx Ware, Bristile China and Australia Fine China.
AUGUST 2013
At the Annual General Meeting a new commitee was appointed. Derek (MO) Eagles CHAIRMAN, Clodagh Monck VICE CHAIRMAN, Robert Cock TREASURER, Committee Members Graham Chave, Lee Eagles, Kaye Cook, Nanette Henderson. At the following commitee meeting Beth Allan was appointed TREASURER
History of the Factory
Calyx Porcelain, Wembley Ware, Bristile and Australian Fine China.
The china was first produced in 1921 from the factory in Subiaco, Western Australia which opened under the name of Calyx Porcelain and Paint Company.
There were several changes of directors in the following years and the business went through plenty of ups and downs and in 1938 it was re-named H.L.Brisbane and Wunderlich Ltd.
The company used the name Bristile, but to avoid confusion with the name of their baked clay tiles, the earthenware items reverted to the name of Wembley Ware. The name Bristile was re-introduced to the products in the 1960s.
The production of Bristile crockery came to the fore with the manufacture of ‘vitrified white crockery, often ‘badged’ for Government Departments and other institutions.
George Clauson, the pottery manager in 1946 inspired the factory’s gifted artists and modellers to use their talents in developing the Wembley Ware lines. The fancy ware proved to be exceedingly popular, not only in Australia, and it’s production was to continue until 1961.
In 1984 building of a new Office and Showroom was commenced on the Subiaco site.
In 1997 the name of Australian Fine China was adopted, and the company made china under this name until the closure of the Subiaco factory in 2006.
From this time Australian Fine China has operated its business from its headquarters in Welshpool, with all the china being made overseas.
There were some very interesting ranges of Australian Fine China made in Australia prior to closure, with colourful decorations including many featuring Australian flora and fauna. Australian Fine China which was made in the Subiaco factory and marked ‘Made in Australia’ has a proud past. These items are the last chapter in the story of the China Factory in Subiaco and as such have a place in history.
Wembley Ware Society Founder
Foreword by the founder of The Wembley Ware Society
My first contact with Wembley Ware was in Subiaco, Western Australia in the early1990s.
In an antique shop my friend spotted a dhufish vase. He seemed excited with the find, explaining that his grandmother had one of these very same vases! He bought this one for himself. I thought it was quite an odd-looking thing, and when he told me it was Wembley Ware, I’m afraid this fact did nothing to make me like it any better.
Today Paul still has his vase, and more than a decade later I have two of them.
It was as a volunteer at the Subiaco Museum in Western Australia that I was to learn more about the china. I spent some time looking at the Calyx, Wembley Ware and Bristile China book and it was the history as written by Mr. Thomson that first held my interest. Only later did I come to love the china also.
Firmly believing that wonderful Wembley Ware should be seen and enjoyed by everyone, I began to purchase items from second-hand stores, for the collection at the Subiaco Museum. I might add that the prices were very reasonable and at this time I had no idea of the real value of Wembley Ware.
These days I am collecting the items for myself, although my collection is comparatively small. I am enjoying learning more about the various items from members of the Wembley Ware Society, and from Paul Bisby’s and John Thomson’s great books –see under ‘Publications’.
The Wembley Ware Society’s Archives are rapidly growing in line with our aim to preserve and record the history and identify as many items as possible which were produced by the pottery in Subiaco. It is exciting to see the growing interest in the less-well known ranges of china such a Calyx, Bristile and Australian Fine China.
I am passionate about seeing a Wembley Ware Museum built on the site in Subiaco, Western Australia, where the china factory stood for 85 years, and which is now being re-developed. It is my hope that the developers of the AFC Site, in Hay Street Subiaco and the City of Subiaco will reach an agreement to develop a plan for a Wembley Ware Museum to be part of the new development. This space should be a showcase for examples of the various types of china and pottery which were produced here over the years.
As a celebration of the unique china made in Subiaco by a talented team of artists and crafts people, the Wembley Ware Museum should be central to history and heritage on the AFC site, and in the City of Subiaco, Western Australia.
Susan Wann, Subiaco WA
Newsletters
WEMBLEY WARE SOCIETY INC PUBLISHES
4 NEWSLETTERS ANNUALLY.
All financial members will recive a copy of each newsletter, as it becomes available. Enquiries to info@wembleyware.com
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JULY 2013, Newsletter No.18
Contents:
Notice of Annual General Meeting , Saturday 10 August 2013 All Nominations for Officer-holders are now being received
Letter from the Chairman, Susan Wann
‘Around the Auctions’
The William H Yates Collection – documents and letters relating the early years of Calyx Pottery Works.
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JUNE 2013 Newsletter No 17
Contents:
A child’s report of her visit to Calyx Pottery Factory in 1936
‘Honorary Memberships announced
Auction News
A member writes about her family who were original workers at the Calyx Factory.
Window Dressing with Wembley Ware – article on a Subiaco shop window.
Notice : Next General Meeting & AGM 1o August 2013
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APRIL 2013 Newsletter No 16
Contents:
Illustrated Review of Wembley Ware Week 2013
Report on February Mystery Meeting
Article – A visit to Wembley Ware Collector’s in Adelaide.
Notice: Next General Meeting on Saturday 11 May 2013 in Subiaco WA.
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FEBRUARY 2013 Newsletter No 15
Contents:
Illustrated article: Wembley Ware Inspiring Contemporary Artists.
Notice about WEMBLEY WARE WEEK 15 – 24 March, in Subiaco WA.
Message from MO
Illustrated Article: Vince Jones of Guildford WA.
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DECEMBER 2012 Newsletter No. 14
Contents:
Illustrated Article about a Member’s Collection
Ruby’s Roses made by Ruby Neevay For Sale
Message from MO
Notice: Looking for Art Ware Pottery
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OCTOBER 2012 Newsletter No. 13
Contents:
Notice of Wembley Ware Society Inc Members’ Meeting for 10th November 2012
Illustrated article about a Wembley Ware decorator : A Wembley Ware Plate and Its Fine Artist
Mo’s Mumbles. Mo takes us on a Wembley Ware Tresure Hunt around W.A.
Wembley Ware Calendar 2013 is now available for purchase. Enquiries to info@wembleyware.org
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AUGUST 2012 Newsletter No. 12
Contents:
Tributes to H. (Bert) Van Wereld and Ruby Neevay both former workers at Brisbane & Wunderlich and to John D. Thomson Author of ‘Calyx, Wembley Ware and Bristile China’ all of whom died recently.
AGM result of Election of Officers
Guest speaker: Dirk Meier demonstrated different varieties of plates made at the factory. Jason Benardout, valuer for McKenzies Auctions in Claremont WA gave an interesting talk about prized items handled over the years, with a focus on Calyx pottery.
Message from Mo:
Reasons to support the Wembley Ware Society Inc. A warning to collectors to be aware that there are Wembley Ware ‘look- alikes’ made by Diana, Goebel and Alba Ware.
Illustrated Article about Public Art and Installations on the Redeveloped Site of the China Factory.
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