Delft Blue: Ceramic Worth Its Weight in Gold — Heikki Pauts Lecture

The exhibition “White Gold: The Story of Estonian Porcelain” has been open at Maarjamäe Castle of the History Museum since 30 October 2026. It explores the history of Estonia’s porcelain industry. The exhibition is accompanied by a lecture series in which experts discuss the story of Estonian porcelain from different perspectives.

At the lecture on Saturday, 12 December, ceramics made in the small Dutch city of Delft during 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 makers themselves call their products “porcelain”, even though they were simple tin-glazed faience? Did Delft Blue also reach Estonia, and did it have any influence on local ceramic production?

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 room at Maarjamäe Castle and begins at 13:00. A lecture ticket also includes independent access to the exhibition at Maarjamäe Castle.

More about the exhibition: Coming soon! White Gold: The Story of Estonian Porcelain – History Museum

Upcoming lectures related to the exhibition:
16.01.2027 — Faience from the Carl Christian Fick manufactory — Kristiina Hiiesalu lecture at the exhibition “White Gold: The Story of Estonian Porcelain” — Tickets | Fienta
13.02.2027 — A Delicate Industry: Kunstitoodete Kombinaat and the Porcelain-Painting Studio — Kai Lobjakas lecture at the exhibition “White Gold: The Story of Estonian Porcelain” — Tickets | Fienta
13.03.2027 — The Legendary Langebraun — Anne Ruussaar lecture at the exhibition “White Gold: The Story of Estonian Porcelain” — Tickets | Fienta