South Kensington Museum ( renamed Victoria and Albert Museum)

The South Kensington Museum (renamed Victoria and Albert Museum May 17, 1899) was established by using the proceeds Prince Albert received from hosting the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1851. The museum was officially established in 1857 and houses over two million artifacts. Like the Crystal Palace it also displayed priceless art pieces, but also developed a large exhibit dedicated purely to scientific discoveries and innovations. It was also the chosen venue to host the Colonial and Indian Exhibition on May 4, 1886. Under the guide of the Prince of Wales the exhibition aimed to replicate it's predecessor, but instead focused specifically on British and Indian exhibitor's. The Indian exhibit displayed a variety of silk, precious stones, art, and economic goods. The Indian provinces were allowed to curate their own exhibit. The exhibit was a wonderfully approved by the Royal Family and the Royal Art Society. Guest were particularly amazed by the display of "native-artisans", which showed groups of men showcasing their crafts and professions. Visitors could see weavers, silk manufacturers, and pottery painters all in the same room. The exhibit was on display for approximately six months, and had over five million visitors.

A drawing of the South Kensington Museum

Content Source:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Science-Museum-London#ref241215

https://www.open.ac.uk/researchprojects/makingbritain/content/colonial-and-indian-exhibition-1886

Parent Map

19th Century British Literature Map

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.495633800000
Longitude: -0.174041600000

Timeline of Events Associated with South Kensington Museum ( renamed Victoria and Albert Museum)

Date	Event			Manage
4 May 1886 to 14 Oct 1886	Colonial and Indian Exhibition The Colonial and Indian Exhibition opened in South Kensington on 4 May 4 1886, lasted over six months, and accommodated 5.5 million visitors. Image: “Woodcarvers (Courtyard of Indian Palace).” “Colonial Indian Exhibition: The Indian Empire.” Illustrated London News 17 July 1886: 84. Courtesy of the Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine. Featuring extravagant displays from British colonial holdings, the exhibit was organized by the Prince of Wales as an “imperial object lesson” in England’s power and grandeur. Articles Aviva Briefel, "On the 1886 Colonial and Indian Exhibition" Related Articles Audrey Jaffe, "On the Great Exhibition" Anne Helmreich, "On the Opening of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham, 10 June 1854" Anne Clendinning, “On The British Empire Exhibition, 1924-25″ Erika Rappaport, “Object Lessons and Colonial Histories: Inventing the Jubilee of Indian Tea”

Date

Event

Manage

4 May 1886 to 14 Oct 1886

Colonial and Indian Exhibition

The Colonial and Indian Exhibition opened in South Kensington on 4 May 4 1886, lasted over six months, and accommodated 5.5 million visitors. Image: “Woodcarvers (Courtyard of Indian Palace).” “Colonial Indian Exhibition: The Indian Empire.” Illustrated London News 17 July 1886: 84. Courtesy of the Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine.

Featuring extravagant displays from British colonial holdings, the exhibit was organized by the Prince of Wales as an “imperial object lesson” in England’s power and grandeur.