Our museum shop, better known as Country and Eastern was established in 1979 when our founders Philip and Jeannie Millward undertook their first trip in South Asia. Their encounters with local crafts inspired them with the idea for a retail business. Following that trip, they started each year by travelling to Bali working their way back through Java, Thailand, India, Pakistan and back to England; to work with craftspeople and to establish a strong network of suppliers from whom they directly imported a variety of textiles and handicrafts. Over the years, the retail business expanded to having three shops: two in Norwich and one in London. In 1993, they purchased the Old Skating Rink in Norwich to become the third home for their business. By the early 2000s, they gradually consolidated the business, and the Skating Rink became the only venue both for the business and to display their private collection.
Country & Eastern offer a vast range of hand knotted rugs and flat weave kelims, block printed bedding, table linen, luxurious crewel curtains and other soft furnishings. We also stock clothing and jewellery as well as a selection of handicrafts. Some of the crafts we focus on are block printing, ajrakh, tie and dye, ikat, crewel embroidery, kalamkari, brass casting, marble work and rug weaving.
In the last decade, there has been an increased focus on the museum activities and Country and Eastern now serves as the museum shop with products mainly sourced from India and Pakistan. Our policy is to offer a wide selection at fair and affordable prices.
Country & Eastern supports the livelihoods of the craftspeople in the countries we work in as well as the work of The South Asian Decorative Arts and Crafts Collection Trust (SADACC), a UK registered charity that manages and cares for The South Asia Collection.
