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The Ken Stradling Collection

The Ken Stradling Collection

The Stradling Collection is a remarkable collection of C20th and C21st design and applied arts. It contains almost 2000 pieces of ceramics, glass, furniture and decorative objects.

The Stradling Collection is unique in that it came out of the world of retailing post-war craft and design. Ken Stradling MBE was buyer at the Bristol Guild from 1948, rising to become its Managing Director. During Ken’s incredible 60-year career there, he collected many of the items that he also sold. The collection demonstrates how his unique vision helped shaped tastes at such an exciting and innovative era of design, introducing Bristolians to new and exciting makers and manufacturers from Britain, Europe, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.

In 2006 Ken created the Ken Stradling Collection Trust and gave the Collection a permanent home at 48 Park Row, Bristol. The Trust exists to care for and share the Collection, and to inspire and educate current and future makers. The gallery features changing displays from the Collection, or artworks created through our learning programme; sometimes our exhibitions feature both.

Through Ken’s generosity and vision, the Stradling Collection remains a jewel in Bristol’s cultural crown.