Ancient Corset Exhibit at Mykolaiv Museum Highlights Cultural Heritage

The Mykolaiv Regional Museum of Local Lore has a unique exhibit - an ancient corset that once belonged to Maria Oleksandrivna Oleksandrova (née Maslennikova), an Odesa resident who lived in the second half of the 19th century.

According to the Mykolaiv Regional Museum of Local Lore, the corset was donated to the museum by Maria's great-granddaughter, Iryna Shevakhina.

The corset is not only a fashion monument of the time, but also has a special history. Maria Oleksandrivna worked as a white seamstress in an underwear atelier, doing the most delicate work - sewing lace and ribbons. It is quite possible that she was involved in the creation of this corset.

Photo: Mykolaiv Regional Museum of Local Lore

However, the preservation of this artifact became possible thanks to another woman, Tetiana Kulachek, a fabric restoration specialist who restored the corset after it came to the museum in a neglected state. Unfortunately, Tetiana Borysivna is no longer among us - she passed away three and a half years ago. But her work continues to live on, and many of the items she restored adorn the museum's exhibitions.

Photo: Mykolaiv Regional Museum of Local Lore

In Mykolaiv, since the beginning of the war , cultural heritage has been severely damaged by shelling. The MY ART team became a savior for local museums, restoring their integrity and preservation in the most difficult times.

On the eve of 2025, the museum's collection was replenished with 10 unique panels created by the Honored Master of Folk Art of Ukraine Tetiana Bazylevska-Bartashevych. These works are a continuation of the artist's long-term cooperation with the museum, which already has more than 20 of her works on display.

Recently, the museum received an unusual gift - a rare old chimney that used to decorate the family house in the village of Ivanovo, Kirovohrad region.

Андрій Колісніченко