29th Denys Haynes Memorial Lecture: Critics and Crockery
From The Observatory
Date
February 26, 2026
Location
Beveridge Hall, Malet Street, London
Pricing
In-person (Guest)
—
Free
Area
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Join Greek cultural historian Prof Alastair Blanshard at this year's Denys Haynes Memorial Lecture as he discusses the popularity of – and hunt for – antique vases in the 18th century.
The 18th century saw a profound shift in the value and appreciation of antique pottery, especially the Greek vases found in the tombs of southern Italy. These vases, which had always been regarded as inferior artforms in relation to sculpture, increased spectacularly in popularity and visibility in this period. The publications that celebrated the discovery of these vases would usher in an aesthetic revolution.Agenda
This lecture explores ways in which we might account for this 'vase-mania' and the collecting frenzy that it engendered. It is a story which involves criminals, diplomats, illicit love affairs, vast fortunes and the power of empire. It also considers the profound impact that these vases had on British decorative arts, especially on figures like Josiah Wedgwood.
Key Speaker: Alastair Blanshard
