The Arts of Thailand display at the V&A
A papier-mâché demon-faced dance mask with gold and painted mirror work. Museum no. IM. 45-1939
The historic origins of the V&A's Thai collection lie in acquisitions made largely during the period from the mid 19th to the late 20th centuries. More recently important acquisitions of early sculpture and metalwork from the 7th to the 9th centuries, including pieces from the collection of Alexander Biancardi, have further strengthened these holdings. The collection has been additionally enhanced in the last few years by the bequest of objects formerly belonging to Doris Duke, the renowned American collector of South East Asian art.
The Arts of Thailand display features the museum's finest Thai Buddhist sculptures in bronze and stone spanning the period from the 7th to the 19th centuries together with works of decorative art in a wide variety of media associated both with the Thai court and with monasteries. These include carved ivory, niello ware, silver and gold repoussé work, wood and lacquer offering dishes overlaid with mother of pearl and the unusual porcelain Bencharong ('Five Colour') vessels made for the Thai court and nobility in the kilns of China.
The range of the display has been extended by the inclusion of a painting illustrating a Jataka scene from a former life of the Buddha and an astrologer's illustrated handbook. A spectacular focus for one of the cases is provided by a late 19th century diamond encrusted belt and pendant necklace on loan to the museum from the Thai royal family and formerly owned by Queen Saowabha Pongsri, Queen to King Rama 5th of Thailand (1868-1910).
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Conservation
British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age
31 March–12 August 2012
Showcasing over 300 British design objects, this exhibition celebrates the best of British post-war art and design from the 1948 ‘Austerity Games' to the summer of 2012.
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Essential Arts and Crafts
Karen Livingstone explores the origins, myths, and multiplicity of the Arts and Crafts Movement through some of its most ground-breaking works.
Buy nowEvent - Arts of Asia 11/12
Mon 12 September 2011–Mon 26 March 2012
COURSE: Discover the Arts of Asia, 1500–1900 in this popular Year Course focusing on the rich diversity of artistic traditions found within the vast territories of the Islamic Middle East, South Asia and China. You can book the full course, or select individual terms or days. Mondays, 12 September 2011 – 16 July 2012 (over 3 terms)
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