Information and access to Decorative Arts

Outstanding examples of the decorative arts from all periods are regularly included in special exhibitions at the royal residences, particularly at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace. Catalogues and publications relating to these exhibitions are available through the Royal Collection’s online shop. Pieces are also loaned to exhibitions organised by other institutions.

All or part of fifteen English and continental porcelain dining services are on show at Windsor Castle, along with Sèvres and oriental porcelain vases.  Further vases and the Chelsea 'Mecklenburg' service can be seen at Buckingham Palace. 

Large parts of the collection of arms and armour are on display at Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace, and at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

The oriental collections can mostly be seen at Windsor, Buckingham Palace or at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

The earliest tapestries are displayed at Hampton Court, Kensington Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, whilst important sets of 18th-century French Gobelins tapestries acquired by George IV are on display at Windsor and Buckingham Palace. 

Costumes are regularly included in special displays and exhibitions at Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace.

A selection of English and continental silver-gilt plate is shown at Windsor Castle.

Enquiries may be sent by post, fax or e-mail to:

The Surveyor of The Queen's Works of Art
York House
St James's Palace
London SW1A 1AA

Fax      +44 (0)20 78398168

E-mail  [email protected]