The Gallery of Decorative Art at the National Museum in Krakow is the largest permanent exhibition of this type in Poland. The displayed objects are arranged in a chronological order from the Early Middle Ages to the Art Nouveau period. The exhibition, with its stylishly arranged interiors and its collection of gold, fabrics, clothing, furniture, ceramics and glassware, complete with a unique collection of musical instruments and judaica, features nearly 4,000 exhibits presented in nine exhibition rooms and two annexes.
The Museum boasts some historic fabrics and clothing dating back to the period from the 14th to the early 20th century. The oldest artefact in the collection is a 14th-century stole from the Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec. Another impressive item is the set of chasubles from the 15th to 18th centuries, featuring some particularly valuable 15th-century examples with embroidered orphreys or made from imported Italian fabrics.
The Gallery also houses valuable silk kontusz sashes from the 17th and 18th centuries, which include a particularly noteworthy Persian cummerbund from the second half of the 17th century, decorated with depictions of falconers. The collection of dresses dating from the early 19th to the early 20th century offers a complete fashion overview of the entire century, complemented by accessories such as shawls, underwear, fans, gloves and jewellery.