Tattoo Introduction_with buttons

Tattooing is one of the oldest known forms of body decoration. Evidence has been found of its existence throughout the world, as far afield as Egypt and Japan, (dating from 2000 BC and 600 BC respectively), as well as in Europe. For centuries tattooing in the Western world had associations with so-called 'primitive' cultures, partly as a result of the discovery of tattooed people by explorers in the eighteenth century, as well as the criminal classes and seafarers. Indeed the word tattoo is derived from the Tahitian ta tau, 'to mark'. The last ten years have seen tattooing (along with body piercing) develop into a much more widespread practice, becoming increasingly 'fashionable' amongst pop stars, sportsmen and television personalities as well as the general population.

From its very foundation the V&A has represented and promoted good design, often representing cutting edge technologies and forms of practice. Although tattooing is one of the oldest forms of decorative art, it is only in the last decade that it has come to be appreciated and valued for its design content, rather than for its ethnographic or subcultural impact. Responding to the current popularity of and interest in tattoos the V&A has made a move towards recording the importance of tattooing in Britain at the beginning of the new century. The V&A's collections is a vast resource providing inspiration for tattoo design and some ideas are listed below.

Ornament Gallery 220
A wide variety of objects brought together to show how patterns and designs develop and change. The designs for cornices, friezes and mouldings, or the "circles, dots, triangles and abstraction" section at the far end of the gallery might be useful.

Ironwork Galleries 113-114E
Many of intricate pieces of black ironwork in these galleries could be easily translated into blackwork tattoos.

Textile Study Rooms Galleries 100-101
These contain the most diverse, extensive and accessible collection of textiles in the world. Try pulling out some of the framed samples to get a closer look. For example frame 9 contains some beautiful blackwork and black and gold embroidery.

Pintmaking Techniques Galleries 207-9
Illustrating the variety of print-making techniques. Of special interest may be the relief processes in section 1; the Japanese printmaking; and Mellor's Head of Christ in section 3 (intaglio processes) which is created by using only one line spiralling outwards.

Nehru Gallery of Indian Art Gallery 41
Jewellery, textiles, furniture and paintings from the16th - 19th centuries. The stone frieze-cut screens have strong bold lines.

Toshiba Gallery of Japanese Art Gallery 45
Illustrating extraordinary Japanese craftsmanship over 2000 years. Look especially for the stylised natural patterns on the Kimono and of course the Samurai armour.

Cast Court, Northern Europe Gallery 46A
The museums introduction to the history of European sculpture. If you like 'Celtic work' have a look at the outrageous Norwegian door surrounds on the West Wall.

Church Plate Gallery 83
Devotional plate from around the world and one of the worlds largest collections of collections of crucifixes.

Arms and Armour Galleries 88 & 90
The gold inlaid Persian helmets and 8ft flintlock guns in gallery 88 and the etched breastplate (M.114-1921) in gallery 90 are worth a close look.

Jewellery Galleries 91-93
5000 jewels from Ancient Egypt to the present. Look out for the intricate black lines of 19th century Berlin ironwork in case 18 and the monster 15th and 16th century rings in case 34. The costume jewellery in Gallery 102 might also be interesting.

Dress Gallery 40
An internationally renowned collection spanning 400 years of European fashions. In Case 5 there is a spectacular embroidered silk robe and petticoat (T.260A-1969).