Home » Lists » 6 Surrealist V&A objects – from strange to strangest!
An image of a hat shaped like a shoe upside down on the mannequin's head with a pink heel, designed by Elsa Schiaparelli. It is set against a bright orange background with a blue and yellow halo.

6 Surrealist V&A objects – from strange to strangest!

Surrealism was a 20th century art and literature movement that blended dreamlike, absurd imagery with real-life. Famous artists such as Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, Man Ray, Max Ernst, Leonora Carrington, Edward James and Dora Maar were leading figures of the Surrealism movement and inspired many other creatives, such as fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli. At the V&A, we have an amazing collection of weird and wonderful surrealist objects. We have ranked them from strange to strangest! Do you agree with our ranking?

1. Cecil Beaton coat

A coat by Cecil Beaton in beige wool corduroy with applique flowers and stems climbing up the coat. It is hanged on a mannequin with rabbit ears on the head. The object is set against a neon pink background with a blue and yellow halo.

This beautifully strange coat, designed by Cecil Beaton in 1937, shows a fantastical floral design on beige wool corduroy. And check out those adorable pink, frilled cuffs! Cecil designed this coat in an 18th century style for a party he held at his house. What outfit would you design for a party?!

2. Mae West Lips sofa

A photo of a Mae West design red lips shaped sofa in red and black against a white background.

This sofa is one of the most famous sofas in the world. Designed by Salvador Dali and Edward James. It was made in 1938 and was considered outrageous by the general public. It brought Surrealism into conversation and changed the view on design that can both be artistic and functional. Would you sit on this sofa?

3. Surreal portrait of Diana Churchill

Gelatin silver print (large), 'Surreal portrait of Diana Churchill', photograph by Angus McBean, 1940 with pink borders.

This delightfully strange photograph was taken by Angus McBean in 1940, depicting the model Diana Churchill lying underneath a chair. It almost looks as though her head is floating. The play with perspective and use of everyday objects to make something look dreamlike was a key tenant of Surrealism. What object would you use to make a surreal photograph?

4. Hat For Eating Bouillabaisse

A photo of a hat made of cork and trimmed with coral, sea-shells, fishbone, sea-urchin, and other found objects. It is set against a bright pink background with a blue and yellow halo.

This incredibly strange hat was made by Surrealist artist Eileen Agar in 1937 and looks like it came straight out of the ocean! It is made of cork and uses found objects from the sea such as fish bones, coral and a sea urchin! Spiky! What found objects would you use to make a hat?

5. Bum-thumb Rock

This photograph is an example of the interest Surrealist artists took in nature. Eileen Agar incorporated natural objects in her work, a trend also seen in other Surrealist's work in this period. In this photograph, the shape of a rock is interpreted through humour.

Is it a bum? Is it a thumb? NO! It is a rock! This photograph was taken by the same artist who made the hat above, Eileen Agar. Surrealists love to incorporate nature into their work and show humour in the natural world. Now, we bet you can go out with a camera and do something similar to this!

6. Shoe Hat

An image of a hat shaped like a shoe upside down on the mannequin's head with a pink heel, designed by Elsa Schiaparelli. It is set against a bright pink background with a blue and yellow halo.

This DELIGHTFUL shoe hat, made by Elsa Schiaparelli in the 1930s, is an example of how objects traditionally used for one part of the body can be made into something worn on another part of the body! This hat derived from a drawing by Dali. Schiaparelli made her most surreal works with Dali. What every day item would you redesign for wear? Socks for gloves?!

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