On Friday, in an attempt to get away from the bathroom renovations we still have going on at home, I went to the Victoria & Albert Museum: the world’s greatest museum of Art and Design. It was fantastic. I spent four hours wandering, staring, taking photos, looking closely, looking from above and looking from afar at amazing pieces of art and craftsmanship.
Such a lot of what is in the V&A can be appreciated as pieces of art but it was never intended to be viewed as art. It was created to be used, and indeed it was, but it is so beautifully and skilfully made that we now exhibit it in glass cabinets and preserve it for future generations. Looking at hand embroidered carpets, dresses, tea cups, hand painted tiles and stained glass windows I couldn’t help but wonder what the craftsman of these pieces would think knowing that their skills were so extraordinary that it is now exhibited as an example of excellence. I love that there are places like the V&A which celebrate these craftsman and artisans, and inspire home crafters like me with extraordinary textures, scale, skill level and colour.
Here are a few photos of the pieces I loved most.
Fine Turkish hand embroidery:
Silk chain stitches on cotton floor spread made by Gujarati craftsmen
Late 17th century floor spread
Mid 18th century floor spread
Painted tiles depicting Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary. I stood in front of these tiles for 10 minutes just staring. I absolutely adore this.
Mary Mary Quite Contrary tiles
Mary Mary Quite Contrary tiles
Mary Mary Quite Contrary tiles
Mary Mary Quite Contrary tiles
Mary Mary Quite Contrary tiles
Mary Mary Quite Contrary tiles
The beautiful colours of these tiles:
Tiles from Buyanquli Khan tomb, 1358, Uzbehkistan
Iznik tiles from Turkey, 1580
Turkish chimney piece with names of Seven Sleepers, 1731
Tiles of Turkish chimney piece with names of Seven Sleepers, 1731
Iznik tiles from Turkey, 1580
Turkish chimney piece with names of Seven Sleepers, 1731
I would wear that handbag now, and the Dior jacket is just perfect. The length of the sleeve, the turn-up of the sleeve, slight pleating over the shoulder, nipped in waist – everything is exquisite.
Leather and crocodile skin handbag, 1889
Court mantua seen from back, 1755
Zemire evening ensemble, Christian Dior 1954
The 6th floor Ceramics department was amazing. I studied pottery in High School, blue and white ceramics pull me in like a magnet and I have a freakishly obsessive fascination with milk jugs so this was heaven. The museum houses the world’s most extensive collection of ceramics – no wonder it needs a whole floor to itself.
Kakiemon pattern
Beaker and saucer, Germany, 1720
Kakiemon pattern
Kakiemon pattern
Porcelain
Porcelain figurines
Porcelain
If you have builders/family/unwelcome guests invading your home go to the V&A. It’s the perfect place to forget your troubles and immerse yourself in creative peacefulness.
crochetime 