Ordering Objects at V&E East Storehouse: From David Bowie Guitar to Beatrix Potter Originals

At London’s V&A East Storehouse, visitors can handle museum collections through a controlled “Order an Object” service, challenging the usual rule of “no touching.” The storehouse, opened a year ago, was created for more than 400,000 items not on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum’s main West London site, including artworks, antique furniture and armor. Conservators assess every object for safety, and staff either allow supervised handling or limit access for fragile pieces. The facility quickly gained traction: more than 660,000 people visited in its first year, far above the museum’s projected 250,000, and over 15,000 used the appointment service. Visitors must wash hands and wear rubber gloves before entering study rooms. The V&A says international conservation teams, including from MoMA and the Getty, reviewed the model after asking whether people might touch what they shouldn’t.