In 2018, Kit Kemp created Sailor’s Farewell, a new collection of  china, designed exclusively with iconic British company Wedgwood.

Following on from her first collection, Mythical Creatures, the design for Sailor’s Farewell continues the folkloric story.

‘A sailor’s loved-one is waving goodbye on a rock with her scarf flying in the wind. As she waves goodbye the motifs around the china show the sailor’s adventures on the high seas both above and below the waterline. The rust red sails of his sailing ship pass by whales and merfolk fishing, there are two little dogs alone on the high seas, seagulls flying above the lighthouse, and the enticing sight of a house under a palm tree on a faraway desert island. Below in the depths is a frogman, a curious octopus and the flashing fins of many fishes.’

The idea is inspired by an original fabric Kit Kemp designed for Chelsea Textiles. The design has been applied to bone china creating a unique illustrative style. The delicate pale blue linen finish is discernible on the tableware with a stronger blue and intricate hand painted gold detail around the rim.

‘I originally saw a beautiful drawing by John Craxton of a sailor’s wife waving farewell and this sparked my imagination. It blends my love of craft and simple folk art in a fun and lyrical way’, Kit Kemp.

The full service includes tea and coffee cups, espresso cups, coffee mug, teapot, milk jug, sugar bowl, egg cups, jugs, a gravy boat and a selection of plates, platters and bowls in various sizes.

Sailor’s Farewell by Kit Kemp is used at The Whitby Hotel in New York and Ham Yard Hotel in London and is available to buy at www.shopkitkemp.com.