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Here are our most searched-for objects and themes

  1. sheet Music
    Music sheet for 'Champagne Charlie', written and sung by George Leybourne, composed by Alfred Lee, published by C. Sheard, 19th century, London, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  2. poster
    Poster advertising the variety programme at the Norwich Hippodrome for week of Monday 10 March 1913, starring Marie Lloyd and featuring Leighton and Lindford, letterpress, printed by Wilsons' Printers, Leicester, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  3. theatre costume
    Pair of 'Flap' shoes worn by Lupino Lane in an impersonation of music hall artiste, Little Tich, early 20th century, England
    Young V&A
    On display
  4. caricature
    Caricature of Nellie Wallace, from an album of caricatures by George Cooke, 4 June 1904, Stoke-on-Trent, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  5. etching
    The Old Bedford music hall, etching, by Walter Richard Sickert, 1915 – 16, London, England
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  6. photograph
    Photograph of Marie Lloyd in character, photographer unknown, late 19th century, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  7. print
    Song sheet cover for 'Drink! (By One Who's Had Some)', depicting Harry Randall, published by Francis, Day & Hunter, about 1900, London, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  8. sheet Music
    'Fare You Well, Daisy Bell', sheet music, written by Dacre, composed by Percy Vale, published by Francis, Day & Hunter Ltd, 1894, London, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  9. sheet music
    Sheet music for 'Some Things Are Left Better Unsaid', sung by R.G Knowles with J.Hayden Clarendon, written by Chas H Hoyt with J. Hayden Clarendon, composed by Richard Stahl, published in London by Francis Day & Hunter and New York by T.B Harms & Co, 1896.
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  10. music score
    Front cover of music sheet for the song 'Among My Knick-Knacks', written by Mon Tresor, composed by Geo. Le Brunn, published in London and New York, late 19th – early 20th century
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  11. sheet music
    Sheet music cover and pages for 'How did you lose your arm?', sung by G.H Macdermott, written and composed by N.G Travers, published by Francis Bros & Day, 1889, London, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  12. sheet music
    Sheet music and cover for 'No Show Tonight', sung by Herbert Campbell, written and composed by Frank Leo, published by Francis Day & Hunter, 19th century, London, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  13. print
    Illustrated music sheet cover for The Oxford Galop by Adrien Baudouin, artwork by Thomas Packer, published by W. Willliams & Co., printed by Stannard, 19th century, London, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  14. sheet music
    Sheet music cover for 'Burlington Bertie', written and composed by Harry B. Norris, sung by Vesta Tilley, published by Frank Dean and Co., London, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  15. print
    Colour songsheet cover for 'How I Climbed the Pole', designed by Sidney Kent, published by Francis, Day & Hunter Ltd. London and New York, 19th – early 20th century
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  1. Black woman standing on a pebble beach, holding a large pink shell to her ear. She wears a green floor-length dress
    'Self Evident', C-type print, by Ingrid Pollard, 1995, printed 2013, Brighton, England
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  2. Man with child on his back, holding a pink dog lead, with a white and brown dog. Another child holds onto the dog.
    'The Garden II', chromogenic print, by Siân Davey, 2021
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  3. Salted paper print of lace; strong brown colour. Botanical and floral patterns including flowers and plants.
    Lace, salted paper print, by William Henry Fox Talbot, early 1840s, Britain
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  4. Two soldiers in black and white uniform, in a field. One is smoking and eating from a small tub
    'The Break', Nermine Hammam, inkjet print, 2011
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  5. Artist is topless and turns away from the camera
    'Disconnected', inkjet print, by Marvel Harris, 2018, the Netherlands
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  6. Portrait of woman/girl side-on. She has wavy hair and has a neutral expression.
    'The Angel at the Tomb', photograph, by Julia Margaret Cameron, 1870, Isle of Wight, England
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  7. photograph of inside the Raphael gallery, with the Cartoons on easels before being hung
    'View of the Raphael Cartoons Galleries at the South Kensington Museum', albumen print, by Isabel Agnes Cowper, about 1873
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  8. Woman stood leaning on a big camera, with the flash going off
    'Lily Cole and Giant Camera', inkjet print, by Tim Walker, 2004. Museum no. E.1140-2008
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  9. Three teenage boys smoking in the street, wearing blazers and ties
    'Boys smoking, Portland Road, April 15 1956', gelatin silver print, by Roger Mayne, 1956, London, England
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  10. Pink flower, darker in the middle and lighter towards the edge of the petals
    'Tree Peony' from Some Japanese Flowers Vol. I, collotype with lithographic overprinting in colour, by Kazumasa Ogawa, 1894, Japan
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  11. Black and white photograph of a tree which has fallen onto a rock face
    'Columbia and Western #3', from the series 'Westward, the Course of Empire', by Mark Ruwedel, 1999
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  12. Woman with brown hair and red lipstick, fixing her earring to her ear
    'The Earring', photograph, by Madame Yevonde, about 1936, UK
  1. hat
    Hat, designed by Simone Mirman, about 1955, London, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  2. evening dress
    Evening dress, designed by Cristóbal Balenciaga, 1954, Paris, France
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  3. man's suit
    Man's suit, designed by Mr Fish, manufactured by Hexter, about 1968, London, England
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  4. pair of shoes
    Pair of shoes, 1550 – 1070 BC, Egypt
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  5. mantua
    Mantua, 1755 – 60, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  6. dress
    Plato's Atlantis, dress, designed by Alexander McQueen, 2010, London, England
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  7. black, brown, green and white striped cotton trench coat with belt, blue-grey poplin trousers with a black and yellow pattern
    Man's ensemble, designed by Stella Jean, Spring/Summer 2014, Italy and Burkina Faso. Museum no. T.21:1 to 5-2014.
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  1. dress
    Dress worn by Mary Quant when receiving her OBE, Mary Quant, 1966, UK. Museum no. T.354-1974.
    Not on display
  2. Pair of yellow PVC ankle boots with buckle around top
    Pair of ankle boots, designed by Mary Quant, 1967, UK
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  3. Minidress. Red round collar, blue sleeves and sides, white dress-like overlay over the top
    Minidress with 'Peter Pan' collar, Mary Quant's Ginger Group, 1966, England. Given by Professor Deborah Cherry
  4. Design sketch for a grey Quant dress with yellow tights and belt
    Design for a cowl neck minidress with mustard yellow tights by Mary Quant, London
  5. jumpsuit
    Jumpsuit, designed by Mary Quant, about 1967, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  6. dress
    Georgie dress, designed by Mary Quant, about 1962, England. Museum no. T.74-2018
    Not on display
  7. coat
    Coat, designed by Mary Quant, made for Alligator Rainwear Limited, about 1967, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  8. dress
    Dress, designed by Mary Quant, by Ginger Group, 1966, England
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  9. bodystocking
    'Youthlines' bodystocking with applique daisy motif, designed by Mary Quant, 1963 – 66, UK
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  10. book
    On the Quant Wavelength, book, by Mary Quant, 1967, London
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  11. photograph
    Patti Boyd wearing a Mary Quant dress, photographed with the Rolling Stones, by John French, 1964, London, UK
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  12. dress
    Meringue, dress, designed by Mary Quant, made for Ginger Group, made by Steinberg & Sons, 1969, Wales
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment

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In our venues

See the collections in person. For some objects not on display you can view by appointment. Our collections include the National Art Library and the V&A Archives.

  1. mechanical organ
    Tippoo's Tiger, mechanical organ, about 1793, Mysore, India
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  2. plaster cast of Trajan's Column
    (Detail) Trajan's column, plaster cast, by Monsieur Oudry, about 1864, Paris, France
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  3. bed
    The Great Bed of Ware, designed by Hans Vredeman de Vries, 1590 – 1600, Ware, England
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  4. 3D-printed logotype woodblock
    3D-printed Extinction Rebellion logotype woodblock
    V&A East Museum
    On display
  5. pride Flag
    Progress Pride flag, designed by Daniel Quasar, manufactured by Custom Flag Company Inc., 2020, Westminster
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  6. evening ensemble
    (Detail) Pérou evening ensemble, designed by Christian Dior, by Bodin Brossin, 1954, Paris, France
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  7. Costumes
    Costumes for 'Le Train Bleu', designed by Coco Chanel, 1924
    On loan
  1. plate
    'Variations on a Geometric Theme' plate, designed by Eduardo Paolozzi, manufactured by Josiah Wedgwood and sons, about 1970, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, England
    On loan
  2. vase
    Portland Vase, by Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, 1793, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England
    V&A Wedgwood Collection
    On display
  3. painting
    Wedgwood family portrait, oil painting, by George Stubbs, 1780, England
    V&A Wedgwood Collection
    On display
  4. vase
    Lessore Vase, painted by Emile Aubert Lessore, made by Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, about 1863, England
    V&A Wedgwood Collection
    On display
  5. yellow and black oval medallion
    Anti-slavery medallion, by Josiah Wedgwood and sons, about 1787, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, England
    V&A Wedgwood Collection
    Not on display
  6. teapot in the shape of a cauliflower
    Teapot moulded in the shape of a cauliflower, by Josiah Wedgwood and sons, 1765, Stoke-on-Trent, England
    V&A Wedgwood Collection
    On display
  7. trial tray
    Jasperware trials mounted on a wooden tray, by Josiah Wedgwood and sons, 1773 – 76, Stoke-on-Trent, England
    V&A Wedgwood Collection
    On display
  8. teapot
    Teapot, designed by Douglas Baillie Hamilton Cochrane, manufactured by Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, 1906
    V&A Wedgwood Collection
    On display
  9. Detail of brightly coloured bowl
    Detail of 'Fairyland Lustre' bowl, by Josiah Wedgwood and sons, about 1923, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, England
    V&A Wedgwood Collection
    On display
  1. installation
    Place (Village), installation, by Rachel Whiteread, about 1995 – 2015, London
    Young V&A
    On display
  2. installation
    Planetarium, installation, by Tristan Blondeau, 2023, Paris, France
    Young V&A
    On display
  3. print
    The Self-Portrait, print, by Quentin Blake, 2010, UK
    Young V&A
    On display
  4. dolls' house
    Bettiscombe, dolls' house, about 1870, England
    Young V&A
    On display
  5. soft toy
    Pikachu, soft toy, manufactured by Deutshe Toy GMBH, 1995 – 99, Munich, Germany
    Young V&A
    On display
  6. bionic arm
    'Hero Arm', Open Bionics, 3D printed bionic arm for a child, Bristol, England
    Young V&A
    On display
  7. computer
    Amstrad CPC 464 Computer, manufactured by Amstrad, 1984, England
    Young V&A
    On display
  8. film hoarding
    Devdas, film hoarding, by Balkrishna Arts, 2002, London, England
    Young V&A
    On display
  9. toys
    Death Star, designed by Bjarke Lykke Madsen, designed by Bas Brederode, manufactured by The LEGO Group, 2011 – 12, Denmark
    Young V&A
    On display
  1. ensemble
    Cut, Slash & Pull, ensemble, by Vivienne Westwood, 1990, England
    V&A East Museum
    On display
  2. A distressed canvas Union Flag frockcoat with v-neck and high-backed collar, with tears, burn marks, discolourations over it.
    Costume, designed by Alexander McQueen, designed by Bowie, David, 1996, Great Britain
    V&A East Storehouse
    On display
  3. powder bowl
    Powder bowl, made by Halex Ltd, 1930 – 39, Walthamstow, London, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    On display
  4. t-shirt
    Hackney Lesbian Strength and Gay Pride 1993, t-shirt, maker unknown, 1993, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    On display
  5. tracksuit
    Tracksuit showing scenes from the 2011 East London riots, by SIBLING, 2012, London, England
    V&A East Storehouse
    On display
  6. A pink chiffon dress with ruffles created by smocking on the bodice and skirt which frame the wide, off-the-shoulder neckline
    Daria dress, by Molly Goddard, 2019, London
    V&A East Museum
    On display
  7. sculpture
    Reunion VI: Underneath the Surface, terracotta sculpture, by Bisila Noha, 2022, London, England
    V&A East Museum
    On display
  8. Blue painted wooden chair with a clothes hanger style hook on the yellow back rest
    Captain hook chair frame, by Yinka Ilori
    V&A East Museum
    On display
A gloved hand takes the lid off a ceramic jar
a gloves hand holds a Japanese netsuke
two people unpack a punk hat in a study centre

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V&A advent calendar by Polly Fern

V&A EXCLUSIVE

V&A advent calendar by Polly Fern

£18

Sari offcut wreath

Sari offcut wreath

£38

Red leather oak-embossed handbag

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Red leather oak-embossed handbag

£170

Burgundy and navy shibori silk scarf

Burgundy and navy shibori silk scarf

£100

Objects & Us: Why Things Matter

BOOK OF THE MONTH

Objects & Us: Why Things Matter

£25

Eric Ravilious Winter Village Christmas cards (pack of 12)

BESTSELLER

Eric Ravilious Winter Village Christmas cards (pack of 12)

£10

Victorian cat in a ruff Christmas cards (pack of 8)

NEW & EXCLUSIVE

Victorian cat in a ruff Christmas cards (pack of 8)

£7.50

A Christmas Cake card pack (pack of 8)

A Christmas Cake card pack (pack of 8)

£7.50

Disco ball glass decoration

Disco ball glass decoration

£5

Glass Christmas pudding decoration

Glass Christmas pudding decoration

£11

Quilled paper star Christmas tree topper

Quilled paper star Christmas tree topper

£29

Milk chocolate frogs

Milk chocolate frogs

£15

Crystal engraved champagne coupes - set of 2

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Crystal engraved champagne coupes - set of 2

£32

Festive paper crowns - pack of 6

Festive paper crowns - pack of 6

£17.50

V&A Arts & Crafts home gift box

V&A EXCLUSIVE

V&A Arts & Crafts home gift box

£75

V&A Mango, Lemongrass & Ginger gift box

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V&A Mango, Lemongrass & Ginger gift box

£35

V&A Hot Chocolate & Treats gift box

V&A EXCLUSIVE

V&A Hot Chocolate & Treats gift box

£45

Red paper house decoration

Red paper house decoration

£9.50

Lobster Christmas decoration

V&A EXCLUSIVE

Lobster Christmas decoration

£18

Crown embroidered decoration

Crown embroidered decoration

£20

Sunburst hairclip

Sunburst hairclip

£6

Star hook earrings by Fotini Liami

Star hook earrings by Fotini Liami

£55

Dirty martini Christmas decoration

Dirty martini Christmas decoration

£11

Burgundy velvet loop bag

Burgundy velvet loop bag

£38

Velvet burgundy faux pearl headband

Velvet burgundy faux pearl headband

£10

Header image: 'Plucking eyebrows', woodblock print, from the series 'Modern Makeup Mirrors', by Utagawa Kunisada, about 1823 Edo (Tokyo), Japan. Museum no. E.14747:32-1886. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London