Victoria and Albert Museum

Victoria and Albert Museum The V&A is a family of museums dedicated to the power of creativity.
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Our mission is to champion design and creativity in all its forms, advance cultural knowledge, and inspire makers, creators and innovators everywhere. V&A South Kensington is a world of extraordinary global creativity, with unmissable exhibitions, experiences and educational programmes for all. One of London's most iconic buildings, it is home to national collections of art, design, fashion, photo

graphy and furniture to theatre, performance, architecture, and ceramics, as well as the UK's National Art Library. It is a place where everyone can experience a story of creativity that spans 5,000 years and every creative discipline, which brings that story to life through programmes and activities for all ages and specialisms, and world-leading research and conservation.

Secrets in the s***fbox.In the courts of 18th-century Europe, the s***fbox was more than just a fashionable accessory. T...
26/04/2025

Secrets in the s***fbox.

In the courts of 18th-century Europe, the s***fbox was more than just a fashionable accessory. These ornate boxes held powdered to***co (s***f), sweets, or even toothpicks. But beyond their contents, they carried meaning.

A subtle gesture with a s***fbox at royal gatherings would convey an unspoken code known as the ‘language of the s***fbox.’ This became an elegant form of communication among courtiers, lovers, and diplomats. A flick of the lid or a carefully timed offer could say more than words ever could.

1-5) Swiss Boxes, Jean Georges Raymond, 1780-1810

Image Description:
1) Enamelled gold box set with a miniature surrounded by pearls.
2) Enamelled gold box, set with a miniature of a scenic waterfall and two children fishing.
3) Enamelled gold box set with pearls, and enamelled with a scene of figures against a background of the Bay of Naples
4) Enamelled gold toothpick case, set with three miniatures of women and children.
5) Enamelled gold box set with pearls and enamelled with a scene from Ariosto's Orlando Furioso in which Angelica aids the wounded Medoro.

NOW OPEN at V&A South Kensington - CartierDiscover our major new exhibition exploring the evolution of Cartier, featurin...
26/04/2025

NOW OPEN at V&A South Kensington - Cartier

Discover our major new exhibition exploring the evolution of Cartier, featuring more than 350 objects including precious jewels, historic gemstones, and iconic watches and clocks that chart Cartier's legacy of art, design and craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century.

★★★★★ 'A spellbinding, once-in-a-lifetime display of old-world glamour’ - The Telegraph

★★★★★ ‘Dazzled by diamonds in a 5-star show’ - The Times

Cartier runs until 16 November 2025 at V&A South Kensington.

Tickets here: https://brnw.ch/21wSeC9
Members go free.

How many of William Shakespeare's plays do you know? 📚Shakespeare's journey began with "The Taming of the Shrew" (c.1590...
23/04/2025

How many of William Shakespeare's plays do you know? 📚

Shakespeare's journey began with "The Taming of the Shrew" (c.1590-1600), the first of approximately 38 brilliant plays that changed theatre forever.

In celebration of Shakespeare's birthday, check out our collection of delightful Shakespeare busts. Let us know your favourite Shakespeare play in the comments!

1-5) Ceramic busts of William Shakespeare late 17th century-early 19th century.

Image Description:
1)A glazed earthenware bust of Shakespeare on a black pedestal with a gold trophy and "Shakespeare" in gold. He wears a purple cape and blue shirt with a gold-patterned collar.
2)Glazed earthenware bust of William Shakespeare on a pedestal painted in enamels and gilt.
3)Glazed earthenware figurine of William Shakespeare on a white base decorated with a gold line. He is wearing a royal blue jacket, striped trousers, and an orange coat. He is leaning on a pedestal and holding a scroll in his left hand.
4)A glazed earthenware bust of Shakespeare on a marble-like plinth with gold lines, wearing a black cape, white shirt with gold accents, and floral motifs. He has brown hair and a beard.
5)Figure of Shakespeare, enamel, and gilt soft-paste porcelain.

Do you know who this little rabbit is?🐰 He made his debut in 1902 book inspired by author and illustrator Beatrix Potter...
20/04/2025

Do you know who this little rabbit is?🐰

He made his debut in 1902 book inspired by author and illustrator Beatrix Potter's childhood pet rabbit. His mischievous adventures in Mr. McGregor's garden, was modelled on her uncle's garden in Gloucestershire, England.

He appears in six of Potter's books, alongside other characters such as Jemima Puddle-Duck, Mrs.Tiggy-winkle and Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail.

Embrace the playful spirit of this little rabbit and his friends - stay curious, adventurous, and always be ready for a little bit of trouble! 🌿🥕

1-4) Illustration, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter, 1902-1907

Image Description:
1) Drawing, rabbit with blue waistcoat on
2) Watercolour and pen and ink over pencil drawing of two rabbits smoking pipes.
3) Drawing, Ginger the cat and Pickles the dog in their shop serving
4)Drawing, Mrs Rabbit pouring out the tea for rabbits while her children look on.
5)Drawing, Mrs Rabbit tucking her sick child into bed.

This design hits all the right notes🎵 Created in 1983, Ron Arad’s Concrete Stereo is a bold fusion of art, architecture,...
13/04/2025

This design hits all the right notes🎵

Created in 1983, Ron Arad’s Concrete Stereo is a bold fusion of art, architecture, and audio. With only ten ever produced, it broke the mold of traditional design, using concrete to create a striking, almost apocalyptic hi-fi system. Influenced by London's raw, fragmented vibe and the social shifts of the '80s, this iconic piece is as much a statement on sound as it is on the changing world around it.

Visual Description- Turntable deck, amplifier unit, two speaker towers and two shallow cone speakers all encased in housing of cement with aluminium mesh.

12/04/2025

NOW OPEN at V&A South Kensington - Cartier

Discover our major new exhibition exploring the evolution of Cartier, featuring more than 350 objects including precious jewels, historic gemstones, and iconic watches and clocks that chart Cartier's legacy of art, design and craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century.

Cartier runs from 12 April 2025 – 16 November 2025 at V&A South Kensington.

Members go free – https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/cartier

A shell of a masterpiece 🐚This stunning cup features a nautilus shell as its bowl, set in a silver-gilt mounts, transfor...
11/04/2025

A shell of a masterpiece 🐚

This stunning cup features a nautilus shell as its bowl, set in a silver-gilt mounts, transforming it into a breathtaking display piece. The design celebrates its marine origins, with engravings of sea life, floral motifs, and waves, possibly inspired by historical texts like Pliny the Elder's Natural History of Fish. Nautilus cups like this one were highly prized in Northern Europe from the 14th century, seen not only as exotic treasures but also as magical talismans. 🌊✨

object description- Cup, Nautilus, elaborate silver-gilt mounts feature marine monsters, serpents, and a sea god riding a sea creature, with maidens from the Americas adding to the ornate details.

Image description and credit:
'The Frewen Cup', nautilus shell body, polished and engraved, with silver-gilt mounts. Shell engraved around 1650, mounts by John Plummer of York, 1658-1660.

10/04/2025

“What a shame that nobody’s going to see this incredible piece of theatre.”

In 1987, the visionary image-maker Nick Knight captured one of his most striking images - Naomi Campbell in a scarlet Yohji Yamamoto coat, frozen mid-movement. But like many iconic images, the final shot was just a fraction of the process.

Watch as Knight explains how this image came together and how working with Naomi sparked his exploration of fashion film - leading to the creation of SHOWstudio, his response to fashion in a digital age.

--

Photo: 'Red Coat I’, Nick Knight, Naomi Campbell for Yohji Yamamoto, 1987

‘I’ve constantly tried to provoke people into thinking afresh and for themselves, to escape their inhibitions and progra...
08/04/2025

‘I’ve constantly tried to provoke people into thinking afresh and for themselves, to escape their inhibitions and programming.’ - Vivienne Westwood (1941 – 2022)

Celebrating Dame Vivienne Westwood on her birthday with a look back at some iconic pieces from our collection.

A meticulous researcher with a taste for the past, Vivienne Westwood used historical inspiration to create some of contemporary fashion’s most original looks.

One of Westwood’s most influential adaptations from history is the corset. She first made daywear of corsetry when creating fetish-wear collections in the 1970s, later transforming it into refined outerwear in her couture collections of the late 1980s and early 90s, exemplified by the pieces featured here.

In later collections like Anglophilia (2003), Westwood returned to more direct historical references. The dress pictured in the last slide reinterprets the crumpled-silk gown worn by Madame de Pompadour in a painting by François Boucher in our collection. Filtered through Westwood’s signature asymmetry and irreverent swagger, the innovative curved-seam design still makes looking backwards seem incredibly forward-thinking.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION AND CREDIT:

1. Printed nylon corset with a pastoral scene from a Boucher painting, Vivienne Westwood, Britain, ‘Portrait’ collection, s/s 1990
2. Gold lamé corset with elbow length, detachable sleeves with epaulettes, Vivienne Westwood, ‘Time Machine’ collection, s/s 1988
3. Black velvet corset with metallic gold applied decoration of classical figures and motifs, Vivienne Westwood, Britain, ‘Portrait’ collection, s/s 1990
4. Left to right: Madame de Pompadour, Mistress of Louis XV, François Boucher, 1758, France.

Anglophilia evening dress, Vivienne Westwood, 2003, England. Lent by the designer for our 2004 exhibition, ‘Vivienne Westwood’

The devil's in the detail 👹 Henry Irving’s portrayal of Mephistopheles in Faust was as electrifying as the production it...
04/04/2025

The devil's in the detail 👹

Henry Irving’s portrayal of Mephistopheles in Faust was as electrifying as the production itself - quite literally. Known for his desire for complete accuracy and realism, Irving invested heavily in both scenery and special effects.

The duel between Mephistopheles and Faust sparked with real electric flashes, an effect achieved by connecting the swords of the combatants (who wore insulated gloves) to the electrical mains.

While some critics dismissed the spectacle and compared it to a pantomime, the production was a commercial success. Irving performed as Mephistopheles over 700 times, and Faust remained in the Lyceum Theatre’s repertoire from 1885 to 1902.

His commitment to raising the status of the theatrical profession was recognised in 1895 when he became the first actor to be knighted for his contributions to the stage.

©Victoria & Albert Museum, London

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: -
1. Theatrical ensemble of jerkin, breeches, waistcoat, purse, gorget, coif, cowl, hood, tights, cloak, shoulder drape and shoe
2. Shoe with electric connection to glove. The shoe is made from dark red suede and lined with canvas. There are two further large screws, front and back, the back screw keeping it in place, the front screw holding a braided electrical flex in place. This flex runs between the shoe and a single right hand suede glove. A section of metal chain mail has been stitched to the palm of the glove, to which the flex is attached.
3.Large circular cloak of red crepe with vandyked and beaded edge, beads are crumbling. Edged at hem with dark red knitted silk cord binding. Metal spring clip at neck.4. close up of glove and shoe in picture 2

The smartest in the room 🤡 Often masters of juggling, dance, song, and poetry, Medieval court jesters weren't just enter...
01/04/2025

The smartest in the room 🤡

Often masters of juggling, dance, song, and poetry, Medieval court jesters weren't just entertainers. Beyond their laughter-inducing antics, they held a unique role as truth-tellers in the royal court.

Their unique position granted them a certain level of freedom of expression beyond entertainment, allowing them to provide intellectual stimulation and political commentary.

Far from being 'fools,’' some jesters like the legendary Triboulet were highly educated and became trusted advisors to kings and nobles.

The stained glass panel currently on display depicts Morris dancers, musicians, a Fool, and a hobby horse. These characters would have been familiar with festivities in the 16th century, especially on May Day.

The window is clear glass painted with dancing figures, and there is a maypole with the inscription 'A Merry May.'' English, ca. 1621

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
A clear glass panel painted with dancing figures of:
1. A fool
2. A man dancing
3. A man on a hobby horse
4. A man dancing
5. A man dancing
6. A man playing a pipe

Less than 2 weeks left to see the stunning garments and accessories that chronicle Naomi Campbell's 40 years in the spot...
25/03/2025

Less than 2 weeks left to see the stunning garments and accessories that chronicle Naomi Campbell's 40 years in the spotlight, from her most memorable catwalk appearances to pieces from her personal wardrobe.

V&A members go free.

Tap the link in bio to buy tickets.

Supported by BOSS

Wishing all who celebrate a happy Nowruz as we welcome the first day of spring ☀️Nowruz, meaning ‘New Day’ in Persian, m...
20/03/2025

Wishing all who celebrate a happy Nowruz as we welcome the first day of spring ☀️

Nowruz, meaning ‘New Day’ in Persian, marks the beginning of spring and the start of the New Year in the Iranian calendar.

In March 1621, during the Nowruz festivities, the zebra depicted in this painting was presented to Mughal Emperor Jahangir (r. 1605–27). Upon careful examination to ensure that it was not, as some thought, a horse on which someone had painted stripes, Jahangir ordered his court painter to capture its likeness.

On the right of the painting, the emperor himself has written in his distinctive spidery handwriting that it was the work of Mansur, one of the leading artists of Jahangir’s reign, known for highly naturalistic studies of animals.

Nowruz is widely observed in regions influenced by Persian culture, including Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, and Central Asian nations and many more communities.

Symbolising new beginnings, families prepare for and celebrate Nowruz by deep-cleaning their homes, lighting bonfires, and enjoying traditional dishes.

🎨This painting is on display in our exhibition ‘Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence’ at V&A South Kensington - link in bio.

🦓A zebra presented to the Mughal emperor, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, by Mansur, 1621, Mughal.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

A watercolour painting in landscape orientation of a zebra in the centre, with a thick ornate border featuring flowers painted in red, yellow, blue, white and purple.

Grace Robertson (1930–2021) was a pioneering photographer known for her intimate and observational approach to everyday ...
08/03/2025

Grace Robertson (1930–2021) was a pioneering photographer known for her intimate and observational approach to everyday life, with a particular focus on the lives of women.

Beginning her career in the 1940s - a time when photography was largely a male profession - Robertson pursued storytelling through images, capturing moments with depth and empathy.

Her most well-known series, Mother’s Day Off (1954), follows a group of women from a Bermondsey pub to the seaside town of Margate. Spending days gaining their trust, she documented scenes of laughter, camaraderie, and quiet escape.

Later in life, Robertson continued to champion women’s stories, lecturing on their role in photography and documenting working mothers in contemporary society.

🔗Read more about Grace Robertson’s life and work via the link in bio.

📷-Photographs from the series ‘Mother’s Day Off’, by Grace Robertson, 1954, Margate, England. © Grace Robertson/The Grace Robertson | Thurston Hopkins Archive

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

1. A black and white photograph of two older woman laughing and sitting in a chair with one sitting on the other’s lap.
2. A black and white of women inside a pub, wearing fanciful hats, being spied upon from the outside window by a young girl.
3. A black and white photograph of three women at a pub, with one drinking a pint of beer.
4. A black and white photograph of women embracing each other and dancing in front of a car. Some are wearing fanciful hats.
5. A black and white photograph of a group of women seated while their picture is being taken.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW for Design and Disability at V&A South Kensington. A celebration and a call to action, Design and Di...
06/03/2025

TICKETS ON SALE NOW for Design and Disability at V&A South Kensington.

A celebration and a call to action, Design and Disability will showcase the radical contributions of Disabled, Deaf, and neurodivergent people and communities to design history and contemporary culture, from the 1940s to now.

Design and Disability runs from 07 June 2025 – 15 February 2026 at The Porter Gallery, V&A South Kensington. https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/design-and-disability

1. Rebirth Garments, photo by Colectivo Multipolar
2. Xbox Adaptive Controller, developed by Microsoft. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
3. Jewellery Becomes Law by Ntiense Eno-Amooquaye. 2023, Intoart Collection. © Ntiense Eno-Amooquaye. Photo by Adama Jalloh
4. Squeeze chair by Wendy Jacobs and Temple Grandin, 1995. Photo by Ted Diamond
5. Dysfluent Magazine Issue 2 2023. Photo Courtesy of the artist and designer Conor Foran

IMAGE DESCRIPTION

1. A person wearing pink trousers with a short top poses wrapped in a thick fabric ropes, a skull cap covered in brightly coloured scales and face stickers. This is a piece entitled Rebirth Garments by Colectivo Mulipolar.
2. A white rectangular Xbox controller, with two large black buttons, along with a smaller black direction pad and other smaller buttons. This is a photo of the Xbox Adaptive Controller, developed by Microsoft.
3. A person stands back to camera, with a brown and black patterned top with white wings with black crossed lines. They wear a yellow, green and brown floor length skirt with a mix of black illustrations in the form of flowers, eyes, suns, soil and triangles. This is a piece entitled Jewellery Becomes Law by Ntiense Eno-Amooquaye
4. A woman sits in a white suit dress on a red velvet sofa chair with arms that wrap around her. A grey motor sits on the floor next to her. She has an elated expression on her face. The is a photograph of an object titled Squeeze chair, created by Wendy Jacobs and Temple Grandin.
5. A hand holds a folded magazine cover for Dysfluent Issue 2, designed by Conor Foran. The issue is subtitled ‘Stuttering Pride’. The phrase ‘Dysfluent The prouder I get, the more change happens’ features in the design, visually modified to represent a stutter.

Kuwaiti-Puerto Rican artist Alia Farid’s work ‘Chibayish’ (2022–23) emerged from years of time with communities in the m...
01/03/2025

Kuwaiti-Puerto Rican artist Alia Farid’s work ‘Chibayish’ (2022–23) emerged from years of time with communities in the marshlands along the Euphrates river, capturing changes to the daily lives of the young people of this region, who embody generations of tradition and rootedness in its landscape.
 
Farid also creates large-scale sculptures of water vessels, reflecting on community water-sharing practices in the Gulf. The sculpture and light work ‘Zamzamiya’ (2024) reflects the notion of water as a gift.
 
Alia Farid’s work is on display in Jameel Prize: Moving Images at V&A South Kensington. Link in bio.

Fantasies of beauty 💫Often exchanged as tokens of love, ‘belle donne’ or ‘beautiful women’ plates captured the Renaissan...
20/02/2025

Fantasies of beauty 💫

Often exchanged as tokens of love, ‘belle donne’ or ‘beautiful women’ plates captured the Renaissance ideal of beauty.

With golden hair and dark eyes, these 16th-century muses appear against deep blue backgrounds, accompanied by winding scrolls and a description - most frequently ‘bella’ (beautiful), ‘gratiosa’ (graceful), or ‘diva’ (divine). This kind of Italian earthenware is known as maiolica.

Like any art object, ‘belle donne’ maiolica reflects the society in which it was made. In early modern Italy, marriage was as much about wealth and status as it was about romance. ❤️

Before 1563, weddings could be spontaneous and informal, leaving the legitimacy of the union open to question. Formal gift-giving during betrothal not only showcased a family’s wealth but also publicly affirmed the marriage’s validity.

🔗Read more about ‘beautiful women’ plates and Italian Renaissance pottery via the link in bio.

1. Maiolica dish with ‘belle donne’ portrait, unidentified maker, about 1540, probably Urbino, Italy.
2. Plate depicting a bust of a woman with the name Proserphina, unidentified maker, about 1540, Urbino, Italy.
3. Dish painted with a bust of a woman and the inscription ‘A fair death makes honourable a whole life’, unidentified maker, 1490, Deruta, Italy
4. Dish painted with a bust of a woman and the inscription ‘Death alone quenches true love’, unidentified maker, 1510 – 20, Deruta, Italy
5. Plate painted with two clasped hands below a pierced heart, unidentified maker, 1510, Deruta, Italy

What does ‘love’ mean to you? ❤️This ceramic heart inscribed with dictionary definitions of love is ‘broken’ into three ...
14/02/2025

What does ‘love’ mean to you? ❤️

This ceramic heart inscribed with dictionary definitions of love is ‘broken’ into three pieces. The smallest piece is its little heart which says ‘desire’.

💙- ‘Love’, ceramic valentine by Majolica Works, 1999

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