Our top 5 ASMR objects

The V&A collections have some immensely satisfying objects. Some have unique textures, while others make rich satisfying ASMR. Discover our top 5 objects!

5. Persian rasp

ASMR at the museum | Massaging hands with bath rasps from Iran | V&A

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These 300-year-old rasps are smoothly glazed and polished on one side, but have a rough, gritty texture beneath for scraping away dead skin.

4. Dance costume

ASMR at the museum | Conserving an Adzido Pan African Dance Costume | V&A

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This Adzido Pan African Dance costume has leg wraps made of dried palm leaves. The dense, straw-like strands rustle together pleasingly as the tangles are combed away.

3. 1920s camera

ASMR at the museum | Clicking the shutter on Paneth’s plate camera | V&A

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This heavy Zeiss Ikon camera from 1920 is crowded with precise mechanical features that click and slide pleasingly as the device is set up for the perfect shot.

2. Portable strongbox

ASMR at the museum | Unlocking a 17th-century strongbox | V&A

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This hefty container is braced with thick iron bands that squeal gently when opened. The lid is sealed shut with three separate heavy padlocks that open with resounding clicks.

1. Pop-up geometry book

ASMR at the museum | Pop-up geometry book | V&A

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This pop-up book by Sjeord Hofstra creates beautiful 3D shapes as the reader turns the thick, precision-engineered pages. The folding paper makes a swishing, breezy sound as cubes and tetrahedrons spring to life. It doesn’t get any more satisfying than this.

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