A silver-gilt cup commemorating the coronation of James II and the culture of gifts and prerequisites in Stuart and Hanoverian coronations
The flat-chased Chinoiserie figures carrying a canopy on the newly acquired James II Coronation Cup demonstrate the…
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James II's coronation cup, by unknown maker, 1685
This silver-gilt cup commemorates the coronation of James II on 23 April 1685. It was made as an heirloom for the D…
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Spectacle case of King James II, unknown maker, 1685-8
A fascinating late-18th-century letter accompanied these spectacles when they were acquired by the Museum, claiming…
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Ethics in Action - Conservation of King James II's Wedding Suit
In 1995 the Victoria and Albert Museum acquired a suit made for King James II of England to wear at his wedding to …
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The court masque
The most lavish 17th-century productions were not open to the public. King James I and later his son Charles I commissioned spectacular private performances called 'masques' which involved music, dance, opulent costumes and extraordinary scenery and special effects.
Africans in medieval & Renaissance art: the Moor's head
The use of the 'moor's head' as a heraldic device dates from the 13th century. The emblem has connections to the Crusades, reflecting associating individual families with victories over the Moors.
James 'Athenian' Stuart
James 'Athenian' Stuart is a compelling figure in the history of British design. Widely recognised for his central role in pioneering Neo-Classicism, Stuart developed his influential career across various fields: interior decoration, sculpture, furnishing, metalwork and architecture. The creation of the 'Greek Style' and its impact on British design in the late 18th century is largely due to Stuart's landmark publication Antiquities of Athens.
Church furnishing in 19th-century England
During the 19th century, England saw an unprecedented expansion in the number of churches being built around the country. James Bettley introduces us to a little-known but highly influential 19th-century industry: church-furnishing.
18th-century opera
The 18th century saw an explosion of opera across Europe. Opera houses were built in all the major European cities and new operas were commissioned for each season. The King's theatre became the home of opera in the 18th and 19th centuries where operas were the main offering in the evening's entertainment, usually interspersed with dances and sometimes a short play or farce as an afterpiece.
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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Behold! by James Brown (Screen print)
2 colour screen print by James Brown, signed and dated.
Buy nowEvent - Dressed to Impress
Thu 03 May 2012 13:00
GALLERY TALK: Join Leanne Manfredi as she focuses upon the amazing wedding suit of James II, which was worn at his wedding to Mary of Modena in 1673.
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