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Most searched for

Here are our most searched-for objects and themes

  1. photograph
    Hans Himmelheber, Masked Figure and Men, DRC, Pende Region, 1939, Scan of a Chalcopyrite from the Kipushi Mine, and Reflection in Mirror, photograph, by Sammy Baloji
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  2. mask
    Sande mask, unknown maker, 1900 – 40, Sierra Leone
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  3. bust
    Souvenir 4 (Princess Alexandra), bust, by Hew Locke, 2019, England
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  4. textile design
    'Tomee', textile design, designed by Althea McNish, made for Danasco Fabrics Ltd, 1961, Britain
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  5. sparkle Vase
    Sparkle Vase, by Ndidi Ekubia, 2012, London, UK
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  6. inlay
    Inlay, unknown maker, 305 BC – 30 BC, Egypt
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  7. dress
    Oku, dress, designed by Frank Aghuno for Fruché, 2020, Lagos
    On loan
  8. print
    Spirit of the Carnival, print, by Joseph Tam, 1988, UK Spirit of the Carnival, print, by Tam Joseph, 1988, Great Britain
    V&A East Museum
    On display
  9. print
    'What Chu Lookin at Ho?, Before', print, by Khaleb Brooks, 2020, UK
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  10. photograph
    'Mofolo South, Soweto', photograph, by David Goldblatt, 09/1972, South Africa
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  11. poster
    Guinea and Cape Verde Solidarity / 3 August, poster, by Berta Abelenda, published by the Organisation in Solidarity with the people of Africa, Asia and Latin America (OSPAAAL), about 1974, Cuba
    V&A East Museum
    Not on display
  12. poster
    'I Can't Breathe', poster, designed by Greg Bunbury, printed by Metro Imaging, 2014, London, UK
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  13. portrait of Melissa Thompson
    Portrait of Melissa Thompson, painting, by Kehinde Wiley, 2020
    V&A East Museum
    On display
  1. kaftan
    Kaftan, about 1590, Bursa, Turkey
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  2. minbar
    Mamluk minbar, 1468 – 96, Cairo, Egypt
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  3. composition
    (Detail) 22,500, composition, by Hadieh Shafie, 2011, Baltimore, US
    Not on display
  4. beaker and case
    The Luck of Edenhall, beaker and case, 14th century, Middle East
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  5. carpet
    (Detail) The Ardabil Carpet, 1539 – 40, Iran
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  6. ewer
    Ewer, 1000 – 50, Egypt
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  7. pyxis
    Pyxis, about 969 – 970, Madinat al-Zahra, Spain
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  8. tile panel
    (Detail) Tile panel, 17th century, Isfahan, Iran
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  9. tapestry
    Animals by the Watering Hole, tapestry, by 'Ali Salim, 1985, Egypt
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  1. chest
    The Mazarin Chest, about 1640, Japan
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  2. inro, netsuke and ojime
    Inro, netsuke and ojime, about 1850 – 1900, Japan
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  3. suit of armour
    Suit of armour in Haramaki style, about 1850, Japan
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  4. netsuke
    Netsuke, by Rakueisai, about 1850 – 1900, Japan
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  5. kimono
    (Back) Kimono, 1860 – 1880, Japan
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  6. woodblock print
    The Great Wave, woodblock print, by Katsushika Hokusai, about 1831, Japan
    On loan
  7. dress
    Invitation dress, designed by Kumiko Uehara and Baby the Stars Shine Bright (BSSB), 21st century, Japan
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  8. sculpture
    Covered Vessel no. 7, sculpture, by Kenji Gomi, 2012, Toki, Japan
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  9. basket
    AUN II, basket, by Tanabe Shochiku, 2014, Sakai, Japan
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  10. television
    JVC Videosphere, television, manufactured by JVC Ltd, 1970, Japan
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  11. mask
    Ryo-O, mask, 1450 – 1550, Japan
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  12. sculpture
    OO-IX, sculpture, by Shigeki Hayashi, 2013, Toki, Japan
    Young V&A
    On display
  1. jar
    Jar, 1750 – 1850, Korea
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  2. purse
    Purse, 1850 – 1900, Korea
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  3. celadon bottle
    Long-necked celadon bottle, 1200 – 50, Korea
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  4. ornamental pendant
    Ornamental pendant, made by Eun Young Kim, 1991, Korea
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  5. print
    Persimmon Village, print, by Ch'ang-yon Ham, 21st century, North Korea
    On loan
  6. lacquer bowls
    Set of five coloured lacquer bowls, designed by Hae-cho Chung, 2013, South Korea
    View by appointment
  7. stackable sewing boxes
    Stackable sewing boxes, 1850 – 1950, Korea
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  8. painting
    Female train attendant with a trolley, painting, by Chong-Ch'ŏl Yi, 1989, North Korea
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  9. lacquer Box
    Side-dish lacquer box, 1550 – 99, Korea
    View by appointment
  10. brush pot
    Brush pot, 1850 – 1900, Korea
    On loan
  11. paper artwork
    Aggregation10-SE032RED, paper artwork, by Kwang-Young Chun, 2010, South Korea
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  12. jar
    Jar, 1400 – 1600, Korea
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  1. turban ornament
    Turban ornament, early 18th century, Mughal empire
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  2. mechanical organ
    Tippoo's Tiger, mechanical organ, about 1793, Mysore, India
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  3. tea set
    Tea set, by Oomersi Mawji, 1880 – 90, Bhuj, India
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  4. wine cup
    Wine cup made for the Emperor Shah Jahan, 1657, Mughal court workshops, white nephrite jade
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  5. ikat sari
    Ikat sari, designed by Neeru Kumar, made for Tulsi, 2013, Odisha, India
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  6. ewer and lid
    Ewer and lid, 19th century, Bombay, India
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  1. tomb guardian
    Tomb guardian, 700 – 750, China
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  2. box
    Eight geese box, 18th century, China
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  3. teapot
    Teapot, 1700 – 20, Yixing, China
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  4. Daoist robe
    Daoist robe, 1650 – 1700, China
    V&A East Storehouse
    View by appointment
  5. chair
    Moon, chair, designed by Shao Fan, 2004, Beijing, China
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  6. pendant
    Pendant, about 1100 – 1000 BC, China
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  7. vase
    Neo-Guan, vase, by Li Jianshen, 2012, Jingdezhen, China
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  8. vessel
    Vessel, 1200 – 1100 BC, China
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  9. Earthernware model
    Man on ox cart, earthernware model, 5 – 220, China
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  10. throne
    Throne, 1736 – 95, China
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  11. painting
    Painting, 1870 – 90, China
    V&A South Kensington
    View by appointment
  12. flask
    Flask, 1403 – 24, Jingdezhen, China
    V&A South Kensington
    On display

Trending

Travel

Read

K. A. C. Creswell's early photographs of the Middle East

Creswell was among the first to use photography in the Middle East as an essential part of recording historic sites and buildings

  1. Read

    Samurai: Japanese arms & armour

    Discover the origins, weaponry and armour of the fiercesome Japanese warrior class

  2. Read

    Indian textiles

    India's handmade textiles are embedded in every aspect of its identity
  3. Watch

    Making a Korean lacquer vessel 

    This mesmerising film shows intricate techniques used by artist Chung Hae-Cho to make a lacquer vessel
  4. Watch

    Iranian bath rasps: ASMR

    Watch as we unbox and gently rattle a selection of late 17th and early 18th century ceramic bath rasps from Iran
  5. Read

    Africa fashion: cloth of a continent

    Discover more about African cloth types through our collections
  6. Read

    Chinese wallpapers and the chinoiserie style

    The introduction of Chinese wallpapers in the 17th century sparked a fashion that lasted a century

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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
    V&A South Kensington
    Not on display
  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 South Kensington
    Not 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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Header image: 'Pattern of the World', a map of the world drawn in washes of tea and coffee on dressmaking pattern tissues, pinned together, by Susan Stockwell, 2000, Britain. Museum no. E.1095-2002. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London