Beyond Blue and White: The Hidden History of Delftware and the Women Behind the Iconic Ceramic

Sat, 21 Mar, 2026 at 09:30 am UTC-04:00

Festival Hall | Charleston

Drayton Hall
Publisher/HostDrayton Hall
Beyond Blue and White: The Hidden History of Delftware and the Women Behind the Iconic Ceramic
Advertisement
In the fall of 2019, over 75 rare pieces of 17th- and 18th-century Delftware were rediscovered in a historic Manhattan townhouse. Decorative arts expert Genevieve Wheeler Brown unveils the history behind this recent finding. Brown explores how these vibrant ceramics both represent a beloved decorative art form and illuminate the powerful, often overlooked roles of women across the centuries.
Learn the stories of female Delftware pottery owners, such as Barbara Rotteveel, founder of the influential Three Bells factory in 1671, alongside patrons like Queen Mary II, who popularized Delftware in royal courts. Brown also highlights pioneering women collectors from the 19th century—including Frances Louisa Morgan, wife of J. Pierpont Morgan, and Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt, wife of Cornelius Vanderbilt—who championed the preservation of decorative arts and paved the way for women in museum leadership.
Using rich visual materials, including period objects and artwork, Brown looks beyond the iconic cobalt glaze, uncovering a vibrant narrative of the artistry, female agency, and cultural history embedded in Delftware.
Brown’s book, Beyond Blue and White: The Hidden History of Delftware and the Women Behind the Iconic Ceramic (Pegasus Books), will be available for purchase.
Date & Time: Saturday, March 21st at 9:30am
Location: Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain Street, Charleston, SC
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain St, Charleston, SC 29401-1934, United States

Tickets
Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Charleston

Floral 5k at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
Sat, 21 Mar at 08:00 am Floral 5k at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

3550 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC, United States, South Carolina 29414

2026 Walk for Water in Charleston
Sat, 21 Mar at 08:00 am 2026 Walk for Water in Charleston

Riverfront Park

StrongFirst SFG II Kettlebell Instructor Certification\u2014Charleston, SC, US
Sat, 21 Mar at 08:00 am StrongFirst SFG II Kettlebell Instructor Certification—Charleston, SC, US

Charleston Kettlebell Club

Charleston 22nd Asian-American Basketball Tournament
Sat, 21 Mar at 09:00 am Charleston 22nd Asian-American Basketball Tournament

Charleston, S.C.

James Island Wellness Festival 2026
Sat, 21 Mar at 09:00 am James Island Wellness Festival 2026

1734 Signal Point Rd

Holy Moot II
Sat, 21 Mar at 09:00 am Holy Moot II

Cathedral Church of St. Luke & St. Paul

Charleston Open House
Sat, 21 Mar at 10:00 am Charleston Open House

2049 Savannah Hwy Suite D Charleston, SC 29407

WOMEN\u2019S SELF DEFENSE SEMINAR
Sat, 21 Mar at 10:00 am WOMEN’S SELF DEFENSE SEMINAR

1119 Wappoo Rd. Suite K, Charleston, SC

CHS FiT Fest
Sat, 21 Mar at 10:00 am CHS FiT Fest

The Refinery

West African Drum Class with Harambee Dance Company
Sat, 21 Mar at 10:00 am West African Drum Class with Harambee Dance Company

Park Circle Community Building

Gel Printing for Beginners with Melissa Meverden
Sat, 21 Mar at 10:00 am Gel Printing for Beginners with Melissa Meverden

Park Circle Community Buidling

The Dress Collective - Bridal Open House
Sat, 21 Mar at 10:00 am The Dress Collective - Bridal Open House

The Waverly

Charleston is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Charleston Events