Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Maharaja Exhibition at the V&A

I went to the Maharaja exhibition at the V & A on Monday, and it is fantastic. There are huge amounts of textiles - costume, animal regalia, parasols, hangings etc. Also a lot of amazing jewellery (some of it with obscenely huge stones), items such as howdahs, fans, and other ceremonial items made in gold and silver, some with peacock feathers. Some items had beautiful tassels on them. There were a couple of flintlock guns with the most delicate enamel inlays. There were beautiful paintings with incredible detail, some of palaces or forts, opened out to show inside, with some very odd perspective!

The exhibition is laid out in a succession of rooms, covering different periods of time. The final area covers the 1920s and 1930s, where there is a beautiful convertible Rolls Royce, couture dresses and 'state of the art' furniture.

The exhibition is on until 17th January, and costs £11 for adults, £9 for concessions, but if you have a Waterstones card you can get a 2 for 1 deal on the adult entry (you show the card as you pay to enter actually at the V & A). It really is well worth a visit. My friend and I met at 1130, had a coffee and then went in. When we had finished we were rather hungry - no wonder, as by this time it was 1530!

There is a book with beautiful pictures to go with it - normal price £35, special price £30 for the duration of the exhibition. However, you can get the same book with a different colour cover (black instead of gold) for £19.75 from The Book Depository.

by Pam Blackley-Goble

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