Search

Maharaja: the Splendour of India's Royal Courts

This event has now finished Until Jan 17 2010 V&A, Cromwell Rd, London, SW7 2RL Full details & map

Art: Art museums & institutions

Time Out says Rate it

Our perception of India's once bejewelled heads of state is largely coloured by the 89 years of British Raj - mainly in hues of emerald green, sapphire blue and ruby red - because of the many maharajas who made lucrative alliances with their colonial masters. However, such ostentation originally represented the divine religious power of the maharajas, not the excesses of a greedy few and their jolly hunting japes and polo matches. Seeing all the unseemly largesse of those who made hay under Imperial rule - the fancy Louis Vuitton tea case and personalised Cartier dressing table set - is like contemplating the Crown Prince of Mewar's Rolls-Royce Phantom as it gathered dust before being lovingly restored for this display: it was the great spend before the fall. (OW)

Review of Maharaja

Comment Tweet Share

V&A details

V&A, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL

Transport South Kensington

Telephone

020 7907 7073

http://www.vam.ac.uk

10am-5.45pm, daily, until 10pm every Fri. Booking at 0844 209 1770 or vam.ac.uk, fees apply

V&A map

Expand the map

Restaurants near V&A

See all restaurants near V&A

Bars & pubs near V&A

See all bars & pubs near V&A

Share your thoughts

Name (will appear on the site) *
Email (will not appear on the site) *
Add a star rating Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.
Enter text...
Tick to receive relevant updates from Time Out including news, events, offers and competitions.