In the fall of 2019, over 75 rare pieces of 17th- and 18th-century delftware were discovered 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), is available for purchase.
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