Delft blue: ceramics worth their weight in gold. Lecture by Heikki Pauts

The exhibition “White gold: the story of Estonian porcelain” has been open at Maarjamäe Palace (Estonian History Museum) since 30 October 2026. It presents the history of our porcelain industry. The exhibition is accompanied by a lecture series in which experts talk about Estonian porcelain from different angles.

At Saturday’s lecture, 12 December, ceramics made in the small Dutch town of Delft in the 17th–19th centuries will be introduced. Why was Delft faience, inspired by Chinese porcelain and competing with European porcelain, so popular for two centuries? Why did Delft’s masters call their products “porcelain” even though they were simple tin-glazed faience? Did Delft blue reach Estonia and influence local ceramic making?

Archaeologist and collector Heikki Pauts, who has collected and studied Delft ceramics for a long time, will answer these and other questions.

The lecture takes place in the fireplace hall of Maarjamäe Palace at 13:00.

With a lecture ticket you can also visit the exhibition at Maarjamäe Palace on your own.

About the exhibition: Coming soon! “White gold: the story of Estonian porcelain”, Estonian History Museum.

Further lectures linked to the exhibition:

16.01.2027 Carl Christian Ficki manufactory faience dishes: lecture by Kristiina Hiiesalu at the exhibition “White gold: the story of Estonian porcelain”. Tickets on Fienta.

13.02.2027 A delicate industry: the Art Products Combine and the porcelain painting studio: lecture by Kai Lobjakas at the exhibition “White gold…”. Tickets on Fienta.

13.03.2027 The legendary Langebraun: lecture by Anne Ruussaare at the exhibition “White gold…”. Tickets on Fienta.