Museum Collection presents a new thematic exhibition “The Order of Things”, dedicated to leisure activities in the 19th - early 20th century. The exposition features exhibits from the collection of arts and crafts, antique printed matter and musical mechanical devices, which are the hallmark of the museum. The exhibition tells a story of the most popular entertainment of the century before last through the lens of the object world.

The concept of leisure has been part of philosophical discourse since antiquity, but in the 19th century, it attracted particular attention. Time free from compulsory activities and devoted to pleasurable pursuits came to be seen as an inalienable right of an unfettered individual.

The highly developed material culture of the time was the result of industrialization, the growth of production and expansion of the market volume and trade. In addition, the speed and prevalence of transport and freight traffic has increased, which was reflected in the variety of materials used, originating from different parts of the world. The exhibition features items made from rare woods, precious metals, various types of fabrics and fittings, mother-of-pearl and much more.

Household items are not impersonal; they reflect the nature of the owners, their tastes and habits, traditions and leisure preferences. The items of this kind clearly demonstrated the owner status, as only the well-to-do could afford to buy elaborate, expensive items, and sometimes even impractical curiosities.

The exhibition "The Order of Things" presents items that allow us to examine the concept of leisure on different planes. As secular entertainment and as home recreation, as intellectual pursuits and creative pastime.

The exhibition also presents leisure activities from the perspective of the gender division: what a gentleman preferred, and what activities a well-bred lady was supposed to choose. To give a broader view of this multifaceted phenomenon, the exhibition was supplemented with the items created in the 18th century.

Two centuries later, in the midst of a fast-paced digital age in which almost every action is performed in an elusive digital format, immersion in the 19th century object world is interesting not only out of curiosity, but also for the purpose of finding tangible leisure in real dimension.
"The Order of Things" is a lyrical journey into a world of leisure and recreation. By showing these amazing objects, studying their history, devising the development and creating the exposition, we really wanted to transfer the visitors of this exhibition into the atmosphere of serenity and peace in the rushing stream of modern life.

You can get a closer look at the items presented at the exhibition "The Order of Things" in the museum Photo Gallery.
Tours through the new “Order of Things” exhibition will start on May 31, 2023.

You can sign up for a guided tour on the museum website in the Contact Us section.