An A–Z of metalwork
Discover some of the quirky, ingenious, dangerous and dramatic objects in the Metalwork collection in this A–Z
Metalwork
Metalwork permeates every aspect of our lives, from the kitchen utensils we use daily, the railings and lamp posts that line our streets, the components in our phones, to the heirlooms we cherish for life. The V&A holds one of the world's largest and most varied collections of Metalwork with around 45,000 objects from the Bronze Age to the present day. Additionally, the Gilbert Collection of gold, silver and micromosaics on loan to the V&A shows spectacular items including Frederick the Great's diamond-encrusted snuffbox.
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You can see metalwork on display right across the museum. The story of metalwork is one of scientific discovery, industrial invention and artistic innovation. Highlights include a decorated box given by Elizabeth I to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester around 1575, a ship-form drinking vessel which possibly rolled from guest to guest at the dining table, and an enamelled wall light from 1899 in the form of a flamboyant peacock. Miriam Hanid's watery silver centrepiece highlights our growing collection of metalwork by modern makers.
Collection highlights
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The Real Thing, pectoral cross, by David Poston, 2004, Suffolk, England -
Reliquary, head of Saint Januarius, about 1500 – 50, Switzerland or Germany -
Shaffron for a large horse, about 1525, Germany -
Necessaire (watch), by James Cox, about 1770, London -
Crosier, 1200 – 1300, Limoges, France -
The Peacock Sconce, by Alexander Fisher, about 1899, England -
Union Centrepiece, by Miriam Hanid, 2013, England -
Nef, by Esaias zur Linden, 1609 – 29, Nuremberg, Germany -
Gondola prow, 1600 – 1700, Venice, Italy -
'Streamliner', meat slicer, designed by Egmont Arens and Theodore C. Brookhart in 1940, manufactured by Hobart manufacturing Co from 1944, USA -
Paper bag (Sugar), by David Bielander, 2017, Munich, Germany -
Armet, 1520 – 1540, Germany -
Hanukkah lamp, by Eli Gera, 1970 – 80, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel -
Spoon, about 1550 – 75, Germany -
Armchair, made by Russian Imperial Arms Factory, about 1750, Tula, Russia -
Chandelier, 1480 – 1520, German or Flemish -
Flask, about 1550, Nuremberg, Germany -
Candlestick, probably made by Anthony Hatch and Stephen Pilcherd, about 1650 – 80, London -
Brewer's sign, 1700 – 1800, Germany -
Teapot, designed by Christopher Dresser, made by James Dixon and Sons, about 1879, Sheffield, England -
Rattle, about 1750, Britain -
TP49, teapot, by Robert Foster, 2004, Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia -
Pendant, probably designed by René Jules Lalique, about 1899, France -
The Dudley Box, 1579, England
Features
Dressed to kill – fashion and armour
Discover what the fashion-conscious Renaissance man would have worn on the battlefield or for jousting
Unlocking a 17th-century strongbox: ASMR
Peek into the past as we look inside a historic strongbox
Archibald Knox, Liberty and the Celtic Revival style
Discover a master of metalwork
How was it made? Electrotype
Discover how a metal copy of an object is created
How was it made? Silver watch case
See how an 18th-century watch case is made
Conservation of the Poynter Room grill
See the magnificence of the metalwork return
How was it made? Guilloché enamelling
Watch precise geometric patterns appear on metalwork in this centuries-old process
Serving up: silver slices
Contemporary silversmiths respond to a unique, creative brief to redesign the humble fish slice.
How was it made? 3D scanning and printing
See how 3D scanning and printing techniques are used to reproduce an object from our collection
A history of jewellery
Explore jewellery techniques and designs from the bronze age to the modern day illustrated with key pieces from our jewellery collection
Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert and their collection
Meant ‘for everyone’, the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection comprises gold and silver, enamel miniatures, gold boxes and mosaics
Biscuit tins – a bite-sized history
Novelty biscuit tins in all shapes and sizes
The gold ewer
Read about the restitution of a 4,250-year-old Anatolian gold ewer
Teapots through time
Discover some of the finest examples of teapots produced over the last five centuries
How was it made? Champlevé enamelling
See how this medieval technique was carried out
Header image: 'Streamliner', meat slicer, designed by Egmont Arens and Theodore C. Brookhart in 1940, manufactured by Hobart manufacturing Co from 1944, USA. Museum no. M.222-2011. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London