Jane Austen, her sister and mother enthusiastically set about improving their cottage garden in Chawton when they arrived in July 1809. The kitchen garden was one particular area that they worked hard upon, as much of what they ate came from the garden and orchard. They planted peas, potatoes, tomatoes and fruits such as currants, strawberries and gooseberries.

Once the kitchen garden was well established Mrs Austen wrote to one granddaughter to say that “When the Gooseberries are ripe I shall sit upon my Bench, eat them and think of you.” Emma’s slender vase sees a bountiful supply of ripe, green gooseberries intermingling with raspberries and bright red currants. White fruit blossom stands out brightly against a classic dark blue Moorcroft background, which fades to ivory towards the rim of the vase, as the fruit grow upwards towards the summer light.

• Designer:  Emma Bossons
• Dimensions: H 20.00 x W 9.00 x D 9.00 cm