Russia & the double-headed eagle
The double-headed eagle is the symbol most strongly associated with Russia. Throughout history it has also featured…
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Men's court dress: Russia 1720s-1917
Until the reign of Peter the Great (Peter I, ruled 1682–1725) Russia was isolated from Europe. Peter then introduce…
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Textile conservation in Russia
Despite extraordinarily rich textile collections there are no specialist training programmes for textile conservato…
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V&A in Russia
The V&A has developed an increasingly active relationship with Russia in recent years, with projects taking place both in Russia and in the UK.
Feodor Chaliapin
One of the greatest opera singers of all time, Feodor Chaliapin was born in Russia in 1873 and became famous in the early 20th century singing Russian opera brought to Europe by Diaghilev.
The British Library Dust Jackets collection
The British Library collection of dust jackets is held on loan by the V&A at Blythe House. Begun in the 1920s, the collection now contains over 11,000 items, including not only examples from British publications but also from Europe, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, South America, India, Japan and Russia.
Jewellery at the V&A
Historic highlights include jewelled pendants given by Queen Elizabeth I to her courtiers, and diamonds worn by Catherine the Great of Russia. The age of Napoleon is represented by the famous Beauharnais Emeralds, the gift of Napoleon to his adopted daughter, and by tiaras and ornaments worn by the Empress Josephine.
Baroque palaces
The mid-17th century saw the start of a 100-year-long surge of palace-building unmatched before or since. All over Europe, absolutist regimes, from Russia to Portugal, built or renovated palaces as their main centres of power.
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.
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Magnificence of the Tsars: Men's Dress at the Imperial Russian Court 1727—1903
Celebrates the majesty of masculine uniform in Russia at its finest and accompanies a V&A exhibition
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