The Crafts Study Centre holds internationally acclaimed collections of 20th and 21st century British craft, primarily in the fields of calligraphy and lettering, ceramics, furniture and wood, and textiles, but also has small collections of jewellery, works of art on paper, and other miscellaneous items. The object collections are accompanied by archives such as diaries, correspondence, photographs, catalogues and working notes from crafts practitioners and crafts organisations. In some cases the Centre also holds ‘source collections’, collected from around the world by makers for their own inspiration, enjoyment and knowledge.
The Centre's holdings include work by influential figures such as Bernard Leach, Lucie Rie, and Hans Coper in ceramics, Ethel Mairet, Phyllis Barron and Dorothy Larcher in textiles; calligraphy by Edward Johnston and Irene Wellington, and furniture by Ernest Gimson and Edward Barnsley.
The Crafts Study Centre also has a Library with an extensive collection of books and periodicals relating to craft.
The Centre continues to add to its collections and work by contemporary makers is actively collected – see our recent acquisitions.
To find out more about searching the collections and arranging an appointment to view material, please click here.
