SS Great Britain x Sarah Carpenter

We worked with artist Sarah Carpenter on this range, inspired by the botanical trade in which the SS Great Britain participated. Horticulturalists like Thomas Lang used the SS Great Britain to transport plants to and from Australia in 'Wardian Cases': miniature greenhouses that protected plants on long sea voyages.

The four orchids featured in Sarah's design were first brought to the UK on board Brunel's famous steamship, contributing to the Victorian obsession with rare plants.

Sarah, who is also part of our visitor experience team at the SS Great Britain, produced a beautiful watercolour inspired by these four orchids and the ferns so beloved by Victorians. This range includes beautiful homeware items inspired by real history; the impact of this trade in flowers can still be felt in the environments and cultures of Australia and the UK to this day.