Victoria and Albert Crosses the Atlantic

About 250 objects culled from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London go on display Oct. 12 through Jan. 18, 1998, at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many items have never been seen in the U.S.

The Victoria and Albert, founded in 1852, is regarded as the world’s largest and most influential decorative arts museum. Its collection spans about 2,000 years and includes ceramics, fashion, sculpture, glass, textiles and woodwork from Europe and Asia.

Objects on display at the “Grand Design” selection at the Baltimore museum range from the sublime (a Leonardo da Vinci notebook) to the ridiculous (a pair of Vivienne Westwood-designed platform shoes that tripped up supermodel Naomi Campbell). They include the original manuscript of Charles Dickens’ “Bleak House,” Sevres and Chelsea porcelains, Japanese lacquerware and furniture by Thomas Chippendale. The exhibit will travel to four more North American cities, including San Francisco, in 1999. (Feb. 13 to May 9, 1999).

Tickets are $8 adults, $6 seniors 65 and over, $6 students and free to youths under age 19. Advance tickets are recommended; weekend tickets are timed. Call (888) 262-4278.