How to Dress an Elephant

'Maharaja: The Splendour of the India's Royal Courts'
opens this autumn at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The exhibition features a life-size model of an elephant
in procession.

To find out how to dress an elephant for a royal procession, V&A staff observed Ramu, a freelance elephant, being adorned with textiles, howdah and elephant jewellery belonging to the Maharana of Mewar.

With kind permission of the Maharana of Mewar
Charitable Foundation.

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Holi Festival, Udaipur, India, March 2009

The Royal Palace, Udaipur, India. The Maharana of Mewar presides over the Hindu festival of Holi, a joyous event dedicated to the god Vishnu in celebration
of the rebirth of spring.

10 October 2009 - 17 January 2010

With kind permission of the Maharana of Mewar
Charitable Foundation.

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V&A Conservation in Action

Jennifer Barsby talks us through the conservation of a 'thousand-nailed' decorated parasol (chhatra). The chhatra is part of the regalia and insignia of a maharaja, and will be on display in the exhibition.

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V&A Conservation in Action

This elaborately embroidered uniform was made for Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad of Baroda. Sarah Glenn, Textile Conservator, explains the work she has done in preparation for displaying the uniform in the exhibition.

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V&A Conservation in Action

Nigel Bamforth, Senior Conservator, Furniture and Wood Conservation at the Victoria and Albert Museum, describes the condition of Tippoo's Tiger and conservation work on this unique object.

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V&A Conservation in Action

Nigel Bamforth, Senior Conservator and a specialist in ancient and 18th century instruments play Tippoo's Tiger during the conservation of the object.

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V&A Conservation in Action

'God Save the Queen' played on Tippoo's Tiger by a specialist in ancient and 18th century instruments during the conservation of the object.

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