WOMENThe Scrimshaw Skeleton draws inspiration from a wide range of sources. The central motif was first inspired by the poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, through both water-weary descriptions and moral significance; a caution to respect our natural world. A primary reference for this design were the skulls and bones of American fraternal art, in which skeleton symbols are seen not as morbid, but as an encouragement for virtuous living and reverence for life; The date, 1865, noted within this design marks the end of the Civil War. Many elements of this design are skeletal, from the dried, curling ferns at the top of the illustration, echoing the alligator’s ribcage, to the dried fruits and seedpods, to the skeletal coral on the seabed below, they all serve as beautiful and poignant reminders to protect our natural world. This design is an indirect sequel to The Alligator’s Empire design from The Naturalist’s Handbook collection, featuring many connecting elements and artful links, including an allusion to The Eye of Providence from the original alligator at the top of the design. This illustration highlights the plight of whales in the 19th century; The carved whale teeth at the base of the design were inspired by Susan’s Teeth, a famous set of scrimshaw teeth inscribed by a whaler from Nantucket, while the carved bone hearts and whales in the borders were a common form of folk art for sailors of the era.

About the Brand

Sabina Savage offers elaborate, heritage-inspired prints on exquisite fabrics. The brand produces two collections per year, Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter, and each collection tells a different tale from the last. Fantastical stories are woven through each hand-illustrated collection, meandering across continents and delving headfirst into the depths of history. Each detail within a design holds a key to the tale, and every design is a treasure trove of references.