# Victoria and Albert Museum Scraper (`crawlerbros/victoria-and-albert-museum-scraper`) Actor Scrape the Victoria and Albert Museum's public API - 1.1M+ objects of art and design. Search by keyword, browse by category (ceramics, textiles, jewellery, etc.), or fetch a specific object to get titles, artists, dates, materials, techniques, and images. - **URL**: https://apify.com/crawlerbros/victoria-and-albert-museum-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Crawler Bros](https://apify.com/crawlerbros) (community) - **Categories:** Automation, Developer tools, MCP servers - **Stats:** 1 total users, 0 monthly users, 0.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $3.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event and usage. You are charged both the fixed price for specific events and for Apify platform usage. Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## Victoria and Albert Museum Scraper Scrape the Victoria and Albert Museum's world-class collection of art and design objects. Access 1.1 million+ objects including ceramics, textiles, jewellery, fashion, paintings, and more via the V&A's official public API. No authentication required. ### Features - **Search** objects by keyword (teapot, lace, samurai, etc.) - **Browse by category** — ceramics, textiles, jewellery, furniture, fashion, paintings, and 10+ more - **Fetch specific objects** by V&A system number - Filter to only return objects with available images - Extracts materials, techniques, places of origin, and descriptions ### Data Source This actor uses the Victoria and Albert Museum's public REST API at `api.vam.ac.uk/v2`. The V&A is the world's leading museum of art and design, with a collection spanning 5,000 years. ### Input | Field | Type | Description | |-------|------|-------------| | `mode` | select | `search`, `byCategory`, or `byObject` | | `searchQuery` | string | Keyword search (mode=search, e.g., "teapot") | | `category` | select | Object category (mode=byCategory) | | `objectId` | string | V&A system number (mode=byObject, e.g., "O78541") | | `imagesOnly` | boolean | Only return objects with images (default: true) | | `maxItems` | integer | Max records to return (default: 50) | ### Available Categories Ceramics, Textiles, Jewellery, Furniture, Fashion, Paintings, Prints, Photographs, Sculpture, Metalwork, Glass, Books, Drawings, Musical Instruments, Theatre & Performance ### Output | Field | Description | |-------|-------------| | `systemNumber` | V&A system number (e.g., "O78541") | | `objectType` | Type of object (Teapot, Vase, Dress, etc.) | | `title` | Object title or name | | `artist` | Maker or artist name | | `dateText` | Date or date range | | `placeName` | Place of origin | | `materials` | List of materials used | | `techniques` | List of making techniques | | `styles` | Art styles or periods | | `description` | Brief description | | `imageUrl` | Object image URL | | `recordUrl` | V&A Collections page URL | | `scrapedAt` | ISO timestamp | ### FAQ **Is the V&A API free?** Yes. The V&A Collections API is completely free and publicly available at api.vam.ac.uk. **How large is the collection?** Over 1.1 million objects covering art, design, fashion, textiles, ceramics, furniture, and more. **How do I find an object ID?** Visit collections.vam.ac.uk, find an object, and use the system number from the URL (e.g., O78541 from `/item/O78541/`). **What image sizes are available?** Images are served from the V&A's IIIF image server, supporting various sizes. # Actor input Schema ## `mode` (type: `string`): What to scrape. ## `searchQuery` (type: `string`): Keyword to search V&A objects (mode=search). E.g. 'teapot', 'lace', 'samurai'. ## `category` (type: `string`): Object category for mode=byCategory. ## `objectId` (type: `string`): V&A system number for mode=byObject (e.g. 'O1719441'). Found in the V&A collection URL. ## `imagesOnly` (type: `boolean`): Only return objects that have images. ## `maxItems` (type: `integer`): Hard cap on emitted records. ## Actor input object example ```json { "mode": "search", "searchQuery": "teapot", "category": "ceramics", "objectId": "O1719441", "imagesOnly": true, "maxItems": 50 } ```` # Actor output Schema ## `objects` (type: `string`): Dataset containing all scraped V\&A Museum objects. # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "mode": "search", "searchQuery": "teapot", "category": "ceramics", "objectId": "O1719441", "imagesOnly": true, "maxItems": 50 }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("crawlerbros/victoria-and-albert-museum-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "mode": "search", "searchQuery": "teapot", "category": "ceramics", "objectId": "O1719441", "imagesOnly": True, "maxItems": 50, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("crawlerbros/victoria-and-albert-museum-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "mode": "search", "searchQuery": "teapot", "category": "ceramics", "objectId": "O1719441", "imagesOnly": true, "maxItems": 50 }' | apify call crawlerbros/victoria-and-albert-museum-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=crawlerbros/victoria-and-albert-museum-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Victoria and Albert Museum Scraper", "description": "Scrape the Victoria and Albert Museum's public API - 1.1M+ objects of art and design. Search by keyword, browse by category (ceramics, textiles, jewellery, etc.), or fetch a specific object to get titles, artists, dates, materials, techniques, and images.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "biiBE2Z3XnX8vfo1p" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/crawlerbros~victoria-and-albert-museum-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-crawlerbros-victoria-and-albert-museum-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/crawlerbros~victoria-and-albert-museum-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-crawlerbros-victoria-and-albert-museum-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/crawlerbros~victoria-and-albert-museum-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-crawlerbros-victoria-and-albert-museum-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "required": [ "mode" ], "properties": { "mode": { "title": "Mode", "enum": [ "search", "byCategory", "byObject" ], "type": "string", "description": "What to scrape.", "default": "search" }, "searchQuery": { "title": "Search query", "type": "string", "description": "Keyword to search V&A objects (mode=search). E.g. 'teapot', 'lace', 'samurai'.", "default": "teapot" }, "category": { "title": "Category (mode=byCategory)", "enum": [ "ceramics", "textiles", "jewellery", "fashion", "paintings", "prints", "photographs", "sculpture", "metalwork", "drawings", "designs", "porcelain", "embroidery", "posters", "theatre" ], "type": "string", "description": "Object category for mode=byCategory.", "default": "ceramics" }, "objectId": { "title": "Object system number (mode=byObject)", "type": "string", "description": "V&A system number for mode=byObject (e.g. 'O1719441'). Found in the V&A collection URL." }, "imagesOnly": { "title": "Images only", "type": "boolean", "description": "Only return objects that have images.", "default": true }, "maxItems": { "title": "Max items", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 1000, "type": "integer", "description": "Hard cap on emitted records.", "default": 50 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```