Cute-faced robot with lots of wires, outlined in a red and orange glow on a light blue dotted background

AI or real photo: It is a V&A object or an AI image?

We asked an AI to analyse – and then recreate – 10 objects from the V&A collections. Can you tell which images are the original objects, and which ones are completely computer-generated? It’s not as easy as you might think…

Question 1 out of 9:

Which of these is the real Portland Vase?

Black ceramic vase with decorative figures and leaves
Black ceramic vase with decorative figures and leaves
Question 2 out of 9:

Which of these is a real mid-1800s wallpaper by designer Owen Jones?

Wallpaper with red and black geometric shapes
Wallpaper with red and black floral shapes
Question 3 out of 9:

Which of these is a real 1968 chair by Peter Ghyczy?

Yellow polyurethane egg chair
Yellow polyurethane egg chair with folding back
Question 4 out of 9:

Which of these hats was really worn in the musical, Wicked?

Dark blue fabric witches hat with narrow brim
Dark blue fabric witches hat with wide brim
Question 5 out of 9:

Which of these is a real puppet?

Seated puppet of Mr Punch
Wooden glove puppet of Mr Punch
Question 6 out of 9:

Which of these is a real teapot from 1879?

Tarnished silver teapot with three pronged handle
Silver teapot with three pronged handle
Question 7 out of 9:

Which is a real shoe from the 1760s?

Women's shoes decorated with a painted floral design
Women's shoes decorated with a painted floral design
Question 8 out of 9:

Which of these is a real pattern designed by William Morris?

Wallpaper with repeating leaf pattern
Wallpaper with repeating leaf pattern
Question 9 out of 9:

Finally, which of these is a real gold ring, made around 800 AD?

Gold ring decorated with filigree
Gold ring decorated with filigree

Are you ready to get your results?

  • Cute robot - Gabriel Vasiliu on Unsplash,
  • Black vase with handles - Portland Vase, designed and made by Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, 1793, Italy. Museum no. WE.8000-2014. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London on V&A Collections,
  • Black vase no handles - AI image on Midjourney,
  • Red geometric wallpaper - Wallpaper, designed by Owen Jones, made by Townsend, Parker & Co, 1852-74, Great Britain. Museum no. 8337:138. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London on V&A Collections,
  • Red floral wallpaper - AI image on Midjourney,
  • Raised yellow chair - AI image on Midjourney,
  • Folding yellow chair - Garden Egg Chair, designed by Peter Ghyczy, 1968, made by Elastogran GmbH, 1971, Germany. Museum no. W.8-2007. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London on V&A Collections,
  • Narrow brimmed witch hat - Hat worn by Idina Menzel as Elphaba, made by Rodney Gordon, 2003, US. Museum no. S.503-2016. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London on V&A Collections,
  • Wide brim witch hat - AI image on Midjourney,
  • Seat puppet - AI image on Midjourney,
  • Short-armed puppet - Puppet, made by Fred Tickner, about 1975, Great Britain. Museum no. S.554:1,2-2001. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London on V&A collections,
  • Tarnished teapot - AI image on Midjourney,
  • Silver teapot - Teapot, designed by Christopher Dresser, made by James Dixon and Sons, 1879, Great Britain. Museum no. M.6-2006. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London on V&A Collections,
  • Buckled shoe - Pair of Shoes, unknown, 1760s, Belgium. Museum no. 270&A-1891. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London on V&A Collections,
  • Shoe with bow - AI image on Midjourney,
  • Bold leaf wallpaper - Acanthus, designed by William Morris, made by Jeffrey & Co, published by Morris & Co, 1875, Great Britain. Museum no. E.800-1915. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London on V&A Collections,
  • Subtle leaf wallpaper - AI image on Midjourney,
  • Flat band gold ring - AI image on Midjourney,
  • Curved band gold ring - Ring, unknown, about 800-900, England. Museum no. M.277-1920. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London on V&A Collections,
  • Unhappy carrier bag - Arash Payam on Unsplash,
  • Three Adoring Angels - made by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, 1490-1550, Italy. Museum no. 450-1869. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London on V&A Collections,
  • Shocked monkey - Jamie Haughton on Unsplash,
  • Happy balloons - Madison Oren on Unsplash,
  • Happy monkeys - Park Troopers on Unsplash,
  • Jumping rabbit - Kenny Eliason on Unsplash,
  • Tippoo’s Tiger interview V&A hero - Tippoo's Tiger, 1790, Artist unknown, Mysore on V&A,
  • Creepy V&A puppet hero,
  • Henry-Willett-Pottery-Hero