Medal striking & casting
This page shows the stages involved in designing and casting a contemporary medal. As an example, it uses the John …
Read article
An insight into the craftsman's techniques
Techniques and materials from which an object is made allow for the selection of appropriate conservation tre…
Read article
Sculpture techniques: bronze casting
Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, and often also contains lead or zinc. It is strong and durable but can also c…
Read article
Sand cast aluminium
During the RCA/V&A Conservation Course, I wrote a Materials and Techniques essay on Metal Casting. As research, I s…
Read article
Auguste Rodin working methods
Rodin's working methods combined a passionate response to the human body, and a delight in free, spontaneous drawin…
Read article
Caring for your metal objects
How to care for your metal objects, from identifying the metals and other materials, spotting immitations, identify…
Read article
Obituary of Albert James Koop
Albert James Koop (1877–1937) was a leading expert in Japanese art, who joined the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1900 as an assistant. He became responsible for forming the important collection of Japanese metalwork, and in 1926 he was appointed Keeper of the Department of Metalwork.
Obituaries of Shirley Bury
Shirley Bury (1925–99) specialised in the study of 19th-century jewellery. She joined the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1947, in the Circulation Department. In 1962 she became an Assistant Keeper in the National Art Library, but moved to the Department of Metalwork in 1968, becoming Deputy Keeper in 1972 and Keeper in 1982.
Obituary of William Walter Watts
William Walter Watts (1862–1948) was an authority on English silver. In 1879 he joined the Museum of Science and Art (originally part of the Victoria & Albert Museum) in the Circulation Department. In 1890 he was promoted to Assistant Keeper and in 1897 he became Keeper, until the separation of the Science Museum in 1908. In 1902 he also became Keeper of the Department of Metalwork and during his tenure he greatly increased the Museum’s collection of English silver.
Obituary of Claude Blair, CVO
Claude Blair (1922–2010) was one of the foremost authorities on historic European metalwork, especially arms and armour. He joined the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1956 and retired as Keeper of the Metalwork Department in 1982, having published an immense number of works: in excess of 200 books and articles.
Obituary of B W Robinson
Basil William Robinson (1912–2006) was an expert in the classification and chronology of Persian miniatures. His interest in oriental art was inspired by childhood visits to the Victoria & Albert Museum, and he joined the staff there in 1939, first in the National Art Library and then the Department of Metalwork. In 1966 he became Keeper of the department and after his retirement in 1972 spent four years as Keeper Emeritus, helping to establish the Museum’s Far Eastern Department.
Donate to the Stained Glass Appeal
We are currently working on an exciting project to conserve and re-install the original stained glass on the landings of the Manfred and Lydia Gorvy Lecture Theatre. We need your help to raise £75,000 to bring these historical features back to their former glory for us all to enjoy.
Give nowShop online
Korean Art and Design
This highly illustrated book covers objects from the 5th-century AD to the present day and includes fine examples of ceramics, metalwork, furniture and lacquer, textiles and contemporary crafts.
Buy nowEvent - Early Medieval 11/12
Fri 16 September 2011–Fri 13 July 2012
COURSE: Explore the visual arts of the Medieval period through the V&A’s abundant medieval collections, including architecture and sculpture, metalwork and enamels, silks and embroidery, ivory carving and manuscript illumination, wall painting and mosaic. You can book the full year course, or select individual terms or days. Fridays, 16 September 2011 – 13 July 2012 (over 3 terms)
Book online
