The Kew Gardens Collection
Creative Tops are proud to be the exclusive custodian of the tableware license for the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew.
You may be interested to read a little bit about the history of Kew and the various collections we have developed using the historic artwork from the Kew Library.
History of Kew
Kew has a rich and varied history and has seen many changes over the past 250 years. Founded in 1759 it now covers an area of over 300 acres. The historic site includes 4 Grade 1 listed buildings and 36 Grade II listed structures. Kew is a world-leader in plant science, an international hub for conservation and a major visitor attraction that informs the public how plants are essential to human survival and development.
Employing 800 staff, Kew aims to educate and disseminate information about its vital research into the science of plants and conservation of endangered species. The living collections include more than 30,000 types of plants, whilst the Herbarium, the world’s largest, houses over 7 million preserved plant specimens. The Kew Library contains more than 750,000 volumes, with the illustrated collection holding over 200,000 items of botanical art, a treasure trove of the most beautiful material.
Kew and conservation around the world
Kew’s science and conservation work is making a huge difference in the UK and around the world. The organisation is involved in many conservation projects, one of the most important is how Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank partnership is driving global conservation work around the world, helping to not only save plants from extinction but also preserve habitats at risk and combat climate change, helping to safeguard plants for use in the future.
For further information about Kew’s important conservation work and its links with global partnerships around the world please visit the Kew Gardens website http://www.kew.org/
Kew becomes a World Heritage Site
In July 2003, the Gardens were put on the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in recognition of the importance of conservation work carried out by the organisation.
Creative Tops and Kew Gardens
In 2009 Creative Tops was granted permission to hold the license for Kew Gardens.
The new licensing agreement allows Creative Tops to be given unprecedented access to the historic artwork held in the archives. The Library contains more than 750,000 volumes, with illustrated collection holding over 200,000 items of botanical art. This collection has been created from one of the world’s foremost archives or rare and historically significant work.
The design team spent considerable time in the archives, together with the curators, choosing various images from some of the most influential illustrative botanical and architectural collections; Redouté florals, architectural images from William Chambers original drawings to the stunning botanical vegetables from the Ernst Benary albums.
The Collections
Architectural Fruit Mug Collection
A classic collection of gorgeous fruit designs across six fine bone china tulip shaped mugs. All the designs are taken from “Pomologie Française” by Pierre-Antonie Poiteau (1766-1845). These beautiful fine bone china mugs would make the perfect gift for any occasion. Each mug is available in printed gift box with swing tag.
Redouté Floral Mug Collection
A simply breath-taking collection of fine bone mug designs featuring some of the stunning illustrative botanical drawings of one of the world’s most respected and successful botanical artists, Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840). We have chosen some of the most popular and well loved species of flower so that people can build up their collection. Each mug comes in a beautifully printed gift box with swing tag.
William Chambers Collection
An inspirational collection of designs taken from a book of drawings published in 1763 by William Chambers entitled “Plans, elevations, sections and perspective views of the gardens and buildings at Kew in Surrey”. The images show some of the most famous buildings in Kew including; The Pavilion, Aviary and Pagoda as well as a composite design showing a mix of different buildings and architecture. The designs are available on dinner plates and on fine bone china mugs. The mugs are available in pretty pastel printed gift boxes.
Benary Collection
Colourful and almost contemporary in look, these beautiful designs really touch the senses. In the tradition of “grow your own” vegetables, these designs would brighten up any kitchen with their rich varied colour and content. The collection includes the following pieces; plates, fine china mugs and pasta bowls. The images are from the “Album Benary” by the highly accomplished botanical artist Ernst Benary (1819-1893). He created 28 colour plate illustrations of vegetable varieties which were named in German, English, French and Russian. Products in this range include platter, large salad bowl, pasta bowl, glass work top savers and melamine trays.
Wild Strawberries Collection
This design was taken from a book of botanical illustrations entitled “Pomologie Française” volume 2 by Pierre-Antonie Poiteau (1766-1845). Poiteau was a French pomologist and gardener who travelled extensively during his lifetime, discovering many species of plants and animals. The “Pomologie Française” was published by Langlois, the master of colour printing who supervised much of Redouté’s most celebrated work. The design has been interpreted across a range of ceramic pieces and will also be available on table mats, coasters, glass chopping boards and lap trays.
Redouté Classic Collection
A classic design but with a slightly modern twist, this beautiful floral collection features an exquisite rose with butterfly taken from “Choix des Belles Fleurs” published in 1827, one of Redouté’s most famous illustrative albums. We have also incorporated architecture from Kew on some of the pieces and have used elements around the borders, highlighted in platinum for a premium look and feel.
Orchard Garden Collection
This design really does touch the senses, with luscious pieces of different species of fruit taken from the original illustrations of celebrated French pomologist, Pierre-Antonie Poiteau (1766-1845). The collection includes a range of ceramics, melamine trays, glass work top surface protector, a set of four mugs beautifully packaged in a gift box as well as a range of fine bone china mugs.
An on-going legacy
Our Kew Gardens range has already received great reviews at many of the leading international trade shows around the world. The most important point about the collaboration between Creative Tops and Kew is that every piece from the collection purchased, ensures a contribution towards Kew’s vital conservation and educational work. For more information about our beautiful Kew Gardens range please contact sales@creative-tops.com or for export nina.dawson@creative-tops.com.
