Page 67 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

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The Earth Galleries explore the
history of Earth and its wealth of
natural resources, and offer the
opportunity to experience the
rumblings of an earthquake.
In the state-of-the-art Darwin
Centre visitors can take an
interactive journey inside a vast
concrete cocoon that houses
millions of specimens. Here, too,
is the Attenborough Studio,
which features live shows, films,
and talks, many of them free.
y Victoria and
Albert Museum
Cromwell Rd SW7. 1 South
Kensington. @ 14, 74, C1. Tel 020-
7942 2000. Open 10am–5:45pm daily
(to 10pm Fri). Closed Dec 24–26. &
for special exhibitions. 8 7
∑ vam.ac.uk
Originally founded in 1852 as
a Museum of Manu facturing –
to inspire and raise standards
among students of design – the
V&A, as it is popularly known,
has 11 km (7 miles) of galleries
on four floors. The museum was
renamed by Queen Victoria in Facade of the Victoria and Albert Museum
1899, in memory of her late
husband, and contains one of 1590. The Victorian designers Tiger (c.1790), which mauls a
the world’s richest collections who decorated the plush European soldier when activated.
of fine and applied arts. Morris, Gamble, and Poynter Eight galleries devoted to the
Since 1909, the museum has Rooms recreated historic styles arts of the Far East display rare
been housed in a building with newer industrial materials. jade and ceramics, a giant
designed by Sir Aston Webb. The fully furnished interiors Buddha’s head from AD 700–900,
The museum has undergone a offer a vivid picture of social and a Ming canopied bed.
dramatic restructuring of much life through their displays of Among exhibits in the China
of its collection and gallery furniture and other domestic Gallery is a watercolor on silk
spaces, alongside a grand objects. Among exhibits in the from the Qing Dynasty (1644–
development of the central 20th-Century Gallery is Daniel 1912). The Toshiba Gallery
John Madejski Garden. Weil’s painting Radio in a Bag focuses on Japanese art,
Donatello’s marble relief (1983). The V&A has a wide including Samurai armor and
of The Ascension is collection of metalwork, woodblock prints. The world-
included in the Sculpture including a 16th-century salt renowned Fashion Court is
collection, along with cellar, the Burghley Nef. displayed on level 1. Spanning
sculptures from India and The Silver Gallery also more than four centuries, from
the Middle and Far East. explores the history the mid-1500s to the present
Craftsmanship in and techniques day, it is the world’s most
porcelain, glass, and of silvermaking. comprehensive collection of
pottery is displayed Gallery III is clothing. Highlights include rare
on levels 4 and 6, devoted to 17th-century gowns, 1930s
with rare pieces the making eveningwear, and post-war
by Picasso and of sculpture, couture, plus several key items
Bernard Leach, 18th-century wooden doll, Victoria ranging from from contemporary designers.
intricate Near and Albert Museum medieval ivories to The museum also houses
Eastern tiles, and a modern bronzes. valuable illustrated documents
wide selection of Chinese pieces. Among the textiles, weapons, in the National Art Library
The most celebrated item in jewelry, metalwork, glass, and and the Photographs Gallery
the vast array of furniture is the paintings of the South Asia with images from 1856 to
Great Bed of Ware, made around Gallery is the automated Tippoo’s the present.

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