Corset

The corset was made in 1928 and comes from the village of Kwasówka in the Radzyn region.It is hand-sewn of black satin with linen lining (length 20.5 cm, front width 40 cm). It was worn by maids and young married women with the festive costume of Radzyń. It is cut from six parts (two fronts and a back sewn from four pieces with a seam in the middle). It has a deep neckline. The front slit is stiffened by underwires with hooks through which a red ribbon is threaded for lacing. The lower part has thirteen rounded flaps, also known in this region as tassels. The bodice is modestly decorated. It is trimmed with red, green and white woollen crepe along the slit, neckline, armholes and lapels. The darts on the front and the seams on the back are also trimmed with white thread, those on the back with cross stitch.

A distinctive colour in the corset, but also in other items of folk costume, was red, which was used as a dominant or accessory, i.e., a decoration. Appropriate placement of this colour on the outfit allowed for its proper exposition. It was to emphasise the qualities of clothing. It fulfilled not only an aesthetic function, but also a magical and erotic one. It was commonly believed in the Polish countryside that this colour had properties protecting its owner from various dangers, protects from evil spells and brings good luck. Its distinctiveness, associated with passion and sensuality, made it popular with young people as it was supposed to arouse the interest of the opposite sex. The custom of attaching a red bow to a pram to protect the child has survived to the present day.