The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London aims to avoid inflaming animal-rights activists by mounting signs warning visitors of fur exhibits on show in the exhibition Imperial Chinese Robes from the Forbidden City, which runs until 27 February.

Several of the winter robes and hats worn by the emperors and empresses of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) are trimmed with fur, while a fur coat that would have been worn over an emperor’s court robe is included. All objects are from the Palace Museum, Beijing.

A V&A spokeswoman said: “To present an accurate account of historical fashion, the V&A has to display items containing fur. As many people feel very passionately about the use of fur, we let visitors know before they enter the display. We have done this with a number of previous displays.”