The Great Bed of Ware, about 1590. Museum no. W.47:1 to 28-1931
COLLECTIONS
British Galleries
Inspirational, beautiful and unmatched in
scope, the Victoria and Albert Museum's
British Galleries 1500-1900 display the
most comprehensive collection of British
design and art on view anywhere in the
world. They contain some of Britain's most
significant cultural treasures, including
Henry VIII's writing desk, James II's
wedding suit and the Great Bed of Ware.
They also feature the top British
designers of the times, plus the leading
manufacturers, and so include Chippendale,
Morris, Mackintosh, Wedgwood and Liberty.
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British Galleries Videos
A series of videos created for the British Galleries including Rebuilding the Melville Bed, An Evening at Vauxhall Gardens, Taking Tea, The Adam Interior and The Construction of the Crystal Palace.
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Understanding Styles
Use these guides to investigate the styles that characterise each period through highlighted motifs and explanatory text. Think you know it? Test your knowledge at the end of each section by taking the style quiz.