The Victoria and Albert museum in London is to open a new gallery on Saturday featuring the museum's collection of furniture.

The museum's first gallery dedicated entirely to furniture is set to open on December 1. The museum, an iconic institution in the world of art and design, is gathering its furniture collection, formerly dispersed around other displays into one single area.

The gallery will display over 200 pieces of British and European furniture as well as some examples of American and Asian furniture from the Middle Ages to the present day.

The exhibition, curated by Nick Humphrey and Leela Meinertas, includes chairs, tables, chests, clocks, mirrors and screens. Famous names including Thomas Chippendale, David Roentgen, Ron Arad and Tom Dixon will be represented.

Visitors will be able to examine the materials and techniques employed for each exhibit, as well as some pieces which haven't been shown in 30 years.

Along with 600 years of history the gallery will incorporate interactive technologies such as digital labels with a touchscreen interface providing information for each object. Films on display will explore key furniture-making techniques such as joinery, boulle marquetery and digital manufacturing.

Access to the furniture gallery is free.