Victoria & Albert Museum

(Londori.com, n.d.)

During January I travelled in London, UK and have a chance to visit one of the most famous museum in London which is Victoria & Albert Museum. Victoria and Albert Museum is the world’s leading museum of art and design, a collective of over 2 millions objects, and was founded by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1852 (V&A.com, n.d.).

I have chance to visit few museum in London, but Victoria & Albert museum would be one of my most favourite! Since they objects they showcased are all very luxurious and flamboyant. The first room I entered was showcased both decorative arts and garments. On the left photo they showcase Cabinets, Tables, Vintage Alarm Clocks, and Sofa seats that created by Jacob Frères (leading firm) in early 1900 in Paris. They were given commissions to furnish imperial palaces in the new empire style. These collection may have come from the collection of Napoleon’s prime minister. What I amazed is how can people during 200 years ago be able to create such an amazing furniture like this? All the carving and design was delicately created and eye-catching. It was really beautiful til I wish I could take some of the furniture back home.

Another interesting garment from A&V Museum is the suit during 1795-98 century both suits are imported from France but the small elements like buttons are also originated from UK. The suit on the left is formal men’s attire this could be seen in a taste for simple, close fitting cut and fine woollen cloth in sombre colours. The one in the right is the formal silk suit for men, worn with lace accessories and jewelled swords. This suit was most desirable, and reflected fashions in everyday dress.

This is the porcelain from France, the expression of luxury goods became an expression of French supremacy. The empire style was characterised by simple, bold design, luxurious materials and rich colours, that ornaments links with great civilisation in the past. The porcelain are all very luxurious with beautiful painting, I can see that many of furniture used at home in Asia nowadays got so much influence from European culture.

Another interesting artifact is Sedan Chair from Italy (found in 1750). Sedan Chair is for wealthy customer who used this opulent when shopping for luxuries. Seated in comfort among the rich patterned velvet, tassels, and gilded wood carvings. The passenger would have been carried from shop to shop. The two servants carrying the chair would ensure that their master or mistress was insulated from the grime of streets, which were often unpaved and dirty. It’s kinda funny and amazing at the same time on how discriminate social class was really important back then. Servants must look after nobleman like a queen / king and seems like they would have faced so much difficulty as in lower class.

V&A Museum has widen my experiences toward European / Western arts. Their decorative objects and fashion really amazed me in so many ways, the objects from France and those beautiful bold design with rich colour makes me overwhelmed, I can see that many garments or furniture we use nowadays got so much inspiration from European / Western artefacts. Sadly, I couldn’t explore throughout the whole exhibition. I’d definitely go back to London and visit the museum again to see more art works!.