The Bowes Cup, mark of Jacob Bodendick, gold, 1675-6. Museum no. M.63-1993
COLLECTIONS
Metalwork
The Metalwork collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum
includes the newly displayed national collection of English
silver, as well as ironwork, continental silver, arms and
armour, enamels, brasswork, pewter and medieval metalwork
of international importance. In this section you can learn about
the process of returning the Hereford Screen to its former
splendour and see the restored Silver galleries.
Highlight
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection
Now at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection of gold, silver, mosaics, gold boxes and enamel portrait miniatures was given to the nation by Sir Arthur Gilbert (1913-2001) in 1996.
Highlight
The Bishopsland Fellowship 1979-2009
24 July-19 September 2009
Room 66
Free Admission
This display spans the development of contemporary silver design over the last 30 years, connected by the Bishopsland Fellowship, based on the training workshop in South Oxfordshire where recent graduates spend a cloistered year learning their trade and acquiring the skills of professional practice.
Highlight
The Poor Clare's Reliquary
14 July 2008 - 30 September 2009
Gallery 83, Case 9
Free Admission
This is the story of a precious vessel that has recently been lent to the V&A by the Monastery of Poor Clares in Hereford. We are still unearthing its exciting history and debating its changing use over time. Scholars are divided over whether it was made as a reliquary or a salt cellar.
Highlight
Fragments
10 November 2008 - 8 November 2009
Gallery 116, Case 5
Free Admission
The metalwork collection includes many small fragments of objects that are rarely displayed. These are often beautiful, intriguing and revealing. On first seeing them, we might wonder what they are. By examining a detail we can understand more about the whole object - what it is made of, and how it was made.