National museum of decorative arts of Ukraine

The National Museum of Decorative Arts is a cornerstone of Ukraine's artistic heritage, housing an extensive collection of over 80,000 pieces that encompass both traditional folk and professional decorative art from the 15th to the early 21st century.

Its origins trace back to 1899 when the first public museum, the City Museum of Antiquities and Art, was established in Kyiv. Over the years, the museum underwent several name changes and relocations, evolving from the Kyiv Art and Industrial Scientific Museum to the All-Ukrainian Historical Museum before specializing in Ukrainian art.

The collection took shape over time, ultimately establishing itself as an independent institution in 1964 as the State Museum of Ukrainian Folk Decorative Art. In 2010, it was granted national status, cementing its significance in Ukraine's cultural landscape.

The museum's collection is a treasure trove of Ukraine's diverse folk art, including carpet weaving, embroidery, pottery, woodwork, and various crafts using materials like leather, bone, metal, glass, and porcelain. Each item in the collection showcases distinctive national and regional characteristics.