Page 216 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

214  L ONDON AREA B Y AREA

3 Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum (the V&A) contains one of the 619 620 603
world’s widest collections of art and design, ranging from early 620
Christian devotional objects to cutting-edge furniture design.
Originally founded in 1852 as the Museum of Manufactures to
inspire design students, it was renamed by Queen Victoria in 133
1899 in memory of Prince Albert. The museum is undergoing a 134 139
dramatic renovation, including work on a number of galleries, the 503
facilities near the Exhibition Road entrance and the Sackler Edu cation 135 137 138
Centre, so expect some temporary closures.
136
118
British Galleries (1760–1900)
This charming sweet box (1770) 119
is one of many pieces on display
that were crafted in the 120 123
workshops of Britain. 122
406 121
419
403
420
67& 68
Silver Galleries 64
Pieces such as the 65
Burges Cup (Britain, 70a
1863) fill these galleries. 70
71
302 72
307
73
305
74
40a
52 114a
53 113
208
202 56c 57
54 54a
220
202 56
55
. British Galleries
(1500–1760) . Fashion Gallery 11
Displays of evocative objects, European fashion, fabrics 17
such as this writing desk from and acces sories from 1750 to 18
King Henry VIII’s court, illustrate the present day are on display, 19
Britain’s fascinating history. including these gold 1920s
Lilley & Skinner shoes.
Exhibition Road
Key to Floorplan Gallery Guide entrance 51 21
Level 0 The V&A has an 11-km (7-mile) layout spread over six levels,
and the museum incorporates approximately 150 different
Level 1 1
galleries. The main floor, level 1, houses the China, Japan and
Level 2 South Asia Galleries, as well as the Fashion Gallery and the
Level 3 Cast Courts. The British Galleries are on levels 2 and 4. Level 3 2
Level 4 contains the 20th Century Galleries and displays of silver, 3
Level 6 ironwork, paintings, photography and design works. The glass 4
display is also on level 4. The Ceramics Galleries and Furniture
Henry Cole Wing
are on level 6. European galleries from 300 to 1800 are on Level 0.
Non-exhibition space On the ground floor, to the rear beyond the courtyard, are the
Temporary exhibitions beautiful café rooms, featuring designs by William Morris.

214-215_EW_London.INDD 214 25/04/16 12:25 pm