Screaming cat in graphic house style

Our top 5 ASMR objects

The V&A collections contain some immensely satisfying objects. Some have unique textures, while others make rich sounds when moved, touched or activated. Here are five of our favourite ASMR objects, complete with videos showing them in action. Enjoy. 

5. Persian rasp

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

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

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

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

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.

Customised blue and white adidas trainers, with comical stick on eyes, nose and teeth dancing back and forth. 

Promoting the Young V&A museum in Bethnal Green, London. A new museum for creativity. Now open, free for all.