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Highlights in this issue

Mahasiddha Virupa: an exploration

Diana Heath, Senior Metals Conservator; Lucia Burgio, Senior Object Analysis Scientist

In 2010 the Museum gained a significant new acquisition intended for display: a seated figure measuring H. 85 cm x W. 62 cm and weighing 80 kilos, seemingly one of the largest surviving works representing Mahasiddha Virupa, the ninth century Indian Buddhist ascetic.

The Alhambra Court fire surround

Fi Jordan, Senior Ceramics Conservator; Mariam Rosser-Owen, Curator, Middle East

The fire surround (C.350-2009), the largest section of the Alhambra Court’s original tile decoration to have survived, arrived in the Museum in a badly damaged condition. The small glazed earthenware tiles were embedded in a variety of hard mortars.

Moving Meleager

Roger Murray, Museum Technician; Sophy Wills, Senior Metals Conservator

Between October 2011 and July 2012, three of the V&A’s Renaissance bronzes by Pier Jacopo Alari-Bonacolsi were lent to Antico: The Golden Age of Renaissance Bronzes held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington followed by the Frick Collection, New York.

Cinderella table

Kerstin Wadewitz, Furniture Conservator

The Victoria and Albert Museum acquired the Cinderella table directly from the designer in 2006 and since then, it has been on open display in Gallery 76 (20th Century). Now, just five years later, the first changes in its condition are visible.