London-Victoria and ..mon and Chess Board5
about 1580 Venice, Italy Unidentified wood veneered with rosewood or ebony, with lapis lazuli and gilded decoration (9-1972)
aperture=f2.8 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/40 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and ..rt-Carving Treatise9
Carving was a complex skill with specialized tools and terms. This carving set includes a fork for securing the meat and a flat-bladed knife for serving. Vincenzo Cervio, carver to the pope, expected practitioners to hold up the meat with a fork and slice it in mid air. German writers, meanwhile, advocated keeping it secured on a plate. The post of carver was usually held by a yound nobleman. First published 1581 Vincenzo Cervio (about 1510-1580, Rome) 1593 edition, printed by Gabbia for Giulio Burchioni (3804180049288.0)
aperture=f2.8 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/60 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and ..rt-Clear posset pot2
Clear glass posset pot. (6386)
aperture=f3.5 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/160 sec ISO: 640
London-Victoria and ..he Veroli Casket 115
950-1000 The Byzantine capitol of Constantinople was a centre for the production of boxes of this type, made of ivory and bone. This one, which eventually found its way to the cathedral of Verloi in central Italy, is the finest surviving example. It is possibly a marriage casket, and the scenes represent pagan gods and goddesses. Byzantine Empire, Constantinole (216-1865)
aperture=f3.5 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/125 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and ..of Veroli Casket 216
950-1000 The Byzantine capitol of Constantinople was a centre for the production of boxes of this type, made of ivory and bone. This one, which eventually found its way to the cathedral of Verloi in central Italy, is the finest surviving example. It is possibly a marriage casket, and the scenes represent pagan gods and goddesses. Byzantine Empire, Constantinole (216-1865)
aperture=f2.8 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/60 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and ..Epistle of St Paul18
About 1140-1150 Study of the Scriptures was an important philosophical and intellectual endevour in the 12th century. These leaves reproduce the letters of St Paul in larger text, and a gloss commenting on it by Gilbert de la Porée. Gilbert was a celebrated scholar who taught at Chartres before becoming bishop of Poiters in 1142. France, possibly Poiters (9037,A-B)
aperture=f2.8 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/100 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and ..James I Watch dial22
c. 1620 This watch may have been made for James I. His portait is engraved inside the front cover and on the case are his arms and his latin motto, which translates as 'Blessed are the peacemakers'. The scottish maker, David Ramsay, probably obtained the engraved case from France. Silver and gilt metal, engraved; verge escapement Made in London by David Ramsay (born in Scotland, about 1585, died in London, 1653) and inscribed with his name; the case engraved by Gérard de Heck, probably in Blois France (active in 1611) (LOAN:MET ANON.I:1-1973)
aperture=f2.8 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/60 sec ISO: 3200
London-Victoria and .. I Watch Engraving21
c. 1620 This watch may have been made for James I. His portait is engraved inside the front cover and on the case are his arms and his latin motto, which translates as 'Blessed are the peacemakers'. The scottish maker, David Ramsay, probably obtained the engraved case from France. Silver and gilt metal, engraved; verge escapement Made in London by David Ramsay (born in Scotland, about 1585, died in London, 1653) and inscribed with his name; the case engraved by Gérard de Heck, probably in Blois France (active in 1611) (LOAN:MET ANON.I:1-1973)
aperture=f2.8 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/60 sec ISO: 3200
London-Victoria and ..ves of a Choirbook17
About 1275 These leaves were cut from a large choirbook of chants sung during church services. The capitol P comtains a scene of the Nativity, a sutible subject for Mass on Christmas Day. The capitol S has an image of the Presentation of Christ at the Temple, used to illustrate Candlemas, the feast which celebrates that event. Arezzo Italy (E.373,374-1911)
aperture=f2.8 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/50 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and .. the Veroli Casket14
950-1000 The Byzantine capitol of Constantinople was a centre for the production of boxes of this type, made of ivory and bone. This one, which eventually found its way to the cathedral of Verloi in central Italy, is the finest surviving example. It is possibly a marriage casket, and the scenes represent pagan gods and goddesses. Byzantine Empire, Constantinole (216-1865)
aperture=f4.0 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/200 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and Albert-Mayday Window20
1550-1621 This panel depicts a maypole with morris dancers, musicians, a Fool, a hobby horse and a friar. These characters would have been familiar at festivities in the 16th century, especially on May Day. Morris dancers sometimes told the story of a lady (bottom center) who marries a Fool (top left corner) Clear glass painted with enamel and yellow stain Make in England In Betley Hall, Staffordshire from the 18th C (C.248-1976)
aperture=f5.0 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/250 sec ISO: 3200
London-Victoria and ..rt-Mechanical Globe7
1584 Georg Roll (approx 1546-1592) and Johannes Reinholf (1550-1596) Augsburg, Germany Gilded metal and steel. (246:1,2-1865)
aperture=f2.8 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/50 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and ..ical globe movement6
1584 Georg Roll (approx 1546-1592) and Johannes Reinholf (1550-1596) Augsburg, Germany Gilded metal and steel. (246:1,2-1865)
aperture=f2.8 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/25 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and Albert-Nine of Hares10
Nine of Hares About 1500 Master P.W. of Cologne (active about 1499-1503) One of the earliest uses of printing was the mass production of playing cards. Previous they had been drawn or hand painted. This card is one of a pack of 72 printed playing cards consisting of five suits: hares, parrots, roses, columbines and carnations. (Lettered 9 and VIIII)
aperture=f3.5 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/125 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and ..f Forster Notebook12
1490-1493 Leonardo da Vinci The V&A has five of Leonardo's notebooks, bound together in three volumes probably in the 17th century. This one was compiled over a number of years while Leonardo was working for Duke Ludovico Sforza in Milan. It includes drawings of hats, which probably relate to costumes required for court festivities, and extensive notes about geometry, hydraulics and weights. Sketches of a horse's legs may relate to a project to create a vast bronze equestrian monument commemorating Francesco Sforza. (MS.141.111)
aperture=f3.2 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/100 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and ..herds Buss Closeup19
1570-1600 This hanging or cover shows an Elizabethan shepherd mourning his lost lover. In Greek and Roman literature there was a tradition associating shepherds with poetry. The story is told around the border using a combination of words and rebuses. The word 'buss' means kiss. Linen, embroidered in silk with bobbin lace border Made in England The Latin and Italian inscriptions around the inner border record the shepherd's despair (T.219-1953)
aperture=f2.8 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/40 sec ISO: 3200
London-Victoria and ..rt-Small Posset Pot1
Posset pot, diamond engraved, London; about 1680-1690 (9012)
aperture=f3.5 focal length: 50.0 mm exposure 1/100 sec ISO: 640
London-Victoria and ..-St Ursula teaching4
1520-1530 St Ursula became the parton saint of a femal religious order, the Ursulines, founded in the early 16th century for the education of girls. While she is usually shown protecting her virgin companions with her cloak, here she appears as a teacher, holding an open book while her pupils help each other in reading. Eastern Netherlands, probably Limburg Oak with traces of Paint (621-1895)
aperture=f2.8 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/25 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and ..ined Glass Monogram8
1548-1550 This panel was made for Anne de Montmorency, Constable of France. The large sword demonstrates his status, since as constable he was allowed to carry a naked sword near the king. The grotesques, cornucopias and putti show how Anne had the latest Mannerist fashion in his chateau, copied from the king's palace at Fontainebleau. Paris or Fontainebleau, France from the chateau d'Ecouen (47-1982)
aperture=f4.5 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/250 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and ..a Panel with clock13
In the early 15th century, furniture decorated with intarsia (inlaid wood) became popular. Perspective was such an important part of the designs that intarsia panels were known as 'perspectives' in certain parts of Italy. Intarsia furniture was found in both secular and religious settings. Raffaello da Bresica's panel probably came from a choir stall, while the Allegory of Justice is believed to have come from the Palazzo Pubblico in Sienna. 1513-1539 Raffaello da Bresica (1479-1537) Italy, Bologna (150-1878)
aperture=f2.8 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/15 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and ..s Virgin and Child11
About 1495 Veit Stoss (1445-1533) Stoss was a German sculptor who was known and admired across Europe. Vasari described his work as 'a miracle in wood'. The small size of this carving, the richness of its forms and the virtuoso execution of its details all suggest that Stoss made it for a collector. On the ground lies a crescent moon with a male face. This identifies the Virgin as the Woman of the Apocalypse with the moon at her feet. Nuremberg, Germany Boxwood, glazed, with traces of gilding (646-1893)
aperture=f2.8 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/50 sec ISO: 1600
London-Victoria and ..wer of Babel Window3
This panel illustrates the Old Testament story in which the people of Babylon tried to build a tower that would reach the heavens. As a punishment, God confused their language so they would no longer understand each other. The large figure on the right, directing the operations, is Nimrod, their ruler. Zurich, CH. dated 1631 (9061-1863)
aperture=f2.8 focal length: 60.0 mm exposure 1/40 sec ISO: 640