In September of 1980, Joan and Phil Ritchie first opened the doors of The Peaceable Kingdom. They had fallen in love with kilims and tribal weavings from Turkey and needed a reason to return and collect more and more. They found many reasons, as the communities of Providence and beyond seemed to share their appreciation for folk arts from Central Asia and other parts of the globe. The collections grew, and over the years brought the Ritchie family to more than 35 countries on 5 different continents to buy from artisans, cooperatives and fair trade organizations.

The Ritchie family has continued collecting, travelling and sharing folk art from around the world. The Peaceable Kingdom is a place where stories come alive—where art created within cultural traditions transports the viewer to exotic lands. Talk with a Peruvian curandero (folk healer) by looking into a retablo depicting a healing ceremony. Visit a Central Asian woman by admiring the sosani (embroidery) she created to decorate her nomadic tent. Hear the Sepik River ancestral myth carved into a story board from Papua New Guinea. You will also find…

¨ Rugs, pillows and tribal weavings
¨ Jewelry new and old
¨ Ethnic clothing and accessories
¨ African masks and statuary
¨ Haitian paintings
¨ Latin American folk art
¨ Musical instruments
¨ Puppets and folk toys
¨ Nativity Scenes from around the world
¨ Dia de los Muertos collectibles