British Council (crafts)

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. Their mission is to promote a wider knowledge of the UK abroad and develop closer cultural relations between the UK and other countries, in order to improve the UK’s international standing, prosperity and security. The British Council sourced a collection traditional craft products and tools made and used around the British Isles to promote ‘the work of our traditional craftsmen and women’. The major part of the collection was prepared immediately after the Second World War for a travelling exhibition which was sent to Australia and New Zealand. The MERL acquired the traditional crafts collection in 1960 and 1961.

This collection of craft products includes wood worked items, baskets, pottery, leatherwork, tools, metalwork, textiles, and more.

More Information

• The objects are catalogued on the online database. Search using the phrase ‘British Council collection’