A glimpse behind-the-scenes shows the diversity of the conservators' role in the Museum and demonstrates some of the immense range of activities undertaken by the Conservation department.
Conservation of a 'living doll'
Iki ningyo (literally 'living dolls') are Japanese life-size figures that were made to look like as realistic as possible.
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Conservation CS: A medieval tabernacle from Cologne
This object, made around 1180, has been a highlight of the V&A's medieval collection since its acquisition in 1861. A recent conservation and research project in preparatio…
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Conservation CS: The Virgin and Child with Angels by Peregrinus
This painted panel dated 1428 was once part of a larger altarpiece commissioned by a wealthy merchant in the Central Italian city of Perugia. The altarpiece was originally …
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Conservation CS: The façade of Sir Paul Pindar’s house
The façade of Sir Paul Pindar's house is one of the largest objects in the Museum, and an extremely rare survival of a London timber-framed house built before the Great Fir…
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A Choir Book from Florence
The choir book was made around 1380 in Tuscany, probably Florence. It was made for a house of the Camaldolese order, probably for nuns rather than monks
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Across a conservator's bench
Many museum objects have been altered or changed in some way prior to their accession into collections. As a conservator, one of the aspects of my work is to document and r…
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Conservation of objects for the 'Arts of Thailand' display
This article highlights a selection of the conservation treatments implemented and examples of the rich decorations and techniques that can be found on these fascinating ar…
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Cleaning Theseus and the Minotaur
This historically and artistically important marble sculpture, Theseus and the Minotaur, completed in 1782 by the Italian sculptor Antonio Canova, presented cleaning proble…
Read articleThe War of Troy tapestry
The War of Troy tapestry is part of one of the most important sets of tapestry still surviving from the latter part of the 15th century.
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A gift in your will
You may not have thought of including a gift to a museum in your will, but the V&A is a charity and legacies form an important source of funding for our work. It is not just the great collectors and the wealthy who leave legacies to the V&A. Legacies of all sizes, large and small, make a real difference to what we can do and your support can help ensure that future generations enjoy the V&A as much as you have.
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Buy nowEvent - Sacred Spaces: Synagogue, Church and Mosque
Mon 13 May 2013 14:00
SHORT COURSE: Discover the powerful expression of the Abrahamic faiths – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – through architecture and art.
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