Introducing The Lawrence Peabody Bosnia Collection Exclusively from The Phillips Collection

Furniture World Magazine

One of the highlights of the October International Home Furnishings Market, was a spectacular collection of contemporary wall tapestries, rugs and pillows by the acclaimed American designer, the late Lawrence Peabody. Hand made in Bosnia, Peabody designed the collection for the Bosnian Handicrafts enterprise, headed in the United States by Mrs. Peggy Barry, wife of U.S. Ambassador Robert Barry. This independent humanitarian program created by Lejla Radoncic, a Bosnian woman working in a refugee camp near Tuzla, now supports more than 500 women: Serbs, Croats, Muslims and Kosovars who have found permanent employment with the handicrafts program. It is one of the significant successes of the Bosnia Herzegovina reconstruction. For their first major venture into the home furnishings market, the noted designer Lawrence Peabody had created a dramatic collection of art pieces, wall tapestries, rugs and pillows. The collection, in black and white with splashes of color, utilizes geometrics, textures and design elements with a mix of influences from Bosnia and many other cultures. The result is a collection of art pieces with a truly unique spirit of today. The Bosnian Handicrafts Story: In 1995, the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina came to an end and the painful reconstruction of the country began. So many of the men had been killed or executed, that the war refugees were predominantly widows, with no means of support to rebuild their shattered lives. While working with The Norwegian People’s Aid Organization in a refugee camp near Tuzla, Lejla Radoncic had an idea. Knowing that knitting was a native talent, Radoncic recognized that knitting jobs would provide both therapy and employment for the traumatized women, as well as clothing for the impoverished community. Radoncic’s efforts lead to a contribution of yarn and needles, and then an order from a church group for 1500 sweaters. Her idea and organizational abilities led to the creation of the Norwegian People’s Aid Handicraft Project. The project grew and prospered, and eventually a shop was opened in the capital city Sarajevo. In early 1998, Amb. Robert L. Barry was asked to come to Bosnia as Head of Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE). He and his wife, Peggy, settled in Sarajevo. Peggy discovered the shop, met Radoncic, and sought her assistance in the development of this worthwhile undertaking. Radoncic’s answer was a resounding “Yes!” Peggy brought samples back to the United States and showed them to friends as well as local shops in her Washington, D.C. neighborhood. Their response was the same as hers had been: the workmanship was first-rate, the quality of the raw materials was excellent and the designs, all created locally, were interesting and creative. The first orders were placed. The next three years were busy. One of the first key steps was to become an independent enterprise, which could qualify for various grants, etc. So, Bosnian Handicrafts, a business wholly owned by a non-profit organization of the same name, came into being. Following this move, grants were sought to move the business to the next stage. One grant provided money to exhibit at their first major children’s show at the Javits Center in New York. The show was a great success. The children’s clothing was immediately recognized for the designs, quality of materials, superb craftsmanship as well as the highly desirable aspect of being hand made. Having created major interest in Bosnian Handicrafts, they left the show with several thousand dollars in orders. Another grant provided an American designer to assist in creating the right designs to appeal to the western clientele. Yet another grant helped them to develop a knitting machine workshop. Orders continued to arrive, assisted by their presence at the shows and Peggy’s activities. Bosnian Handicrafts was growing into a recognized company of quality and creativity with a hand made touch that made it unique. One of the friends with whom Peggy shared the products and success of Bosnian Handicrafts was Lawrence Peabody. Peabody was immediately attracted by the quality and texture of the hand-woven fabric and the hand-knitted clothing items. As his creativity kicked in, he envisioned hand-knit pillows, throws, wall hangings and carpets. New designs derived from traditional patterns, but relative to today’s interiors. Peabody, Ms. Barry, Radoncic and the talented Bosnian women went to work and the result of all their efforts is what we have today: The Lawrence Peabody Bosnia Collection. Hundreds of women in villages with names such as Ouchari, Minatatuvioni and Glavichino can afford to live and send their children to school because of the Lawrence Peabody Collection is being presented and guided by The Phillips Collection. For further information, please contact Nicole Corbett at 1-877-PHILLIPS or visit the website at www.thephillipscollection.com.