Curator Interview - Dryad Basketry

Published: 30 October 2024

Dryad Basketry: A Global Collection is on display at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery from 21 September 2024 to 9 March 2025.

This exhibition explores the history of basketry by looking at baskets and woven objects from the Dryad “Handicrafts” collection. This collection was gathered between 1918 and 1936 by Harry Peach, a Leicester-based businessman, who was interested in craft and design.

This is the first time Dryad basketry has been featured in its own dedicated exhibition. This allows visitors to admire the fantastic objects and follow their journeys from around the world to Leicester.

The exhibition is the outcome of an AHRC-funded research project guest curated by Maria Chiara Scuderi, in collaboration between the University of Leicester and Leicester Museums and Galleries.

This interview with Maria took place in October 2024.