The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence at the V&A

Cabinet of jewelled objects at The Great Mughals exhibition at the V&A.

Photo credit: © Victoria & Albert Museum

The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence has just opened at the V&A and will run until 4 May 2025.

About

The Great Mughals, this first-of-a-kind exhibition, explores the Golden Age of the Mughal Court during the reigns of Akbar (r. 1556 – 1605) Jahangir (r. 1605 – 1627) and Shah Jahan (r. 1628 – 1658). It considers the evolution, skills and creativity of the court workshop over the century.

The exhibition has over 200 artefacts on loan from across the world, some of which have rarely been seen before. Expect to see allegorical paintings, illustrated manuscripts, jewels and many examples of fine craftsmanship.

Highlights of the exhibition include a bejewelled dagger and scabbard (c.1620), a ceremonial spoon encrusted with rubies, diamonds and emeralds (c. 1600), a white nephrite jade wine cup (1657), a mother of pearl ewer made in the early 1600s and a satin hunting coat embroidered in silk (c. 1610 – 1630).

Comment from the V&A

Exhibition curator Susan Stronge explains: “This is the first exhibition to reveal the internationalist art and culture of the Mughal court. Hindustani artists, Iranian masters and even a few Europeans came together in the imperial workshops to create a new, hybrid art. We are pleased to display some of their greatest creations, many of which have never been exhibited before.”

Getting there

The V&A can be reached by taking the Piccadilly line from Green Park to South Kensington. Should you wish to walk, it takes about 30 minutes from Hertford Street.

Also in the area

Natural History Museum
Science Museum
Harrods

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