Ceramics

Rooms 136-146

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The V&A’s Ceramics collections are unrivalled anywhere in the world. Encyclopaedic and global in scope, they encompass the history of fine ceramic production from about 2500 BC to the present day.

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The collections are particularly strong in international contemporary studio ceramics, European porcelain and pottery from 1500 onwards, and ceramics from China, Japan and the Middle East. Highlights include the collections of Italian Renaissance maiolica, Chinese porcelain, Dutch Delft, British and European porcelain, 19th-century art pottery and exhibition pieces, and tiles.

Exploring Ceramics

Photo of Flower pyramid, probably 'Greek A' factory, around 1695, Holland. Museum no. C.19 to J-1982. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Flower pyramid, probably 'Greek A' factory, around 1695, Holland. Museum no. C.19 to J-1982. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of 'Polito's Royal Menagerie', earthenware figure group, about 1830, Staffordshire, England. Museum no. C.128-2003. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
'Polito's Royal Menagerie', earthenware figure group, about 1830, Staffordshire, England. Museum no. C.128-2003. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Figure (detail), Johann Joachim Kändler, about 1732, Germany. Museum no. C.111-1932. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Figure (detail), Johann Joachim Kändler, about 1732, Germany. Museum no. C.111-1932. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of 'Kestrel' coffee service (detail), made by Wood & Sons for The Susie Cooper Pottery, about 1932, England. Museum no. C.127-1985. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
'Kestrel' coffee service (detail), made by Wood & Sons for The Susie Cooper Pottery, about 1932, England. Museum no. C.127-1985. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Sea sculpture (detail), unknown, around 1725, Vietnam. Museum no. FE.7-2007. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Sea sculpture (detail), unknown, around 1725, Vietnam. Museum no. FE.7-2007. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of 'Sausage', Richard Slee, 2006, England. Museum no. C.78:1 to 5-2007. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
'Sausage', Richard Slee, 2006, England. Museum no. C.78:1 to 5-2007. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Cornovaso, vase, Alessio Tasca, 1968, Italy. Museum no. CIRC.622-1972. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Cornovaso, vase, Alessio Tasca, 1968, Italy. Museum no. CIRC.622-1972. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

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