Wedgwood Society of Boston

Author: Peggy Kerner

  • Meeting access – 7/18/2026

    Next meeting: Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. ET

    Summer is almost upon us and that means the 4th annual WSB Summer Social, to be held on Saturday, July 18th, is near. This year we offer a bit of a different twist. The group will be visiting the spectacular and comprehensive Rhode Island School of Design Museum in Providence, RI, for a special curator presentation of select Wedgwood objects from their archives. Additionally, you will have access to the entire museum which houses more than 100,000 treasures from ancient times to today. This will be followed by a private buffet luncheon at the Red Stripe Restaurant, a mile east of the museum. Providence is home to many prominent colleges, museums, and other points of interest. You may wish to plan for an extended visit.  

    Attached is the registration form with details and instructions. We ask that you return the completed form by June 12th with your payment. Individual members may bring a guest – the more the merrier, not to mention reaching the minimum requirement at the restaurant. Registrants will receive information on parking and other particulars. Meanwhile if you have any questions, contact Adele Barnett at airwedg@aol.com.

    WSB SS reg form 2026Download

  • Meeting 7/18/2026

    Fourth Annual Summer Social

    The next event of the WSB will be our annual Summer Social to be held on Saturday, July 18th at a museum in Providence, RI, where select Wedgwood objects will be presented in a special curated session. This will be followed by a luncheon. If you are not a WSB member and would like to participate in this fun-filled July event and partake of all our meetings as well as receive the bi-monthly newsletters, click on the “Become a Member” tab above.

  • July 2026 Bonhams-Skinner Auction

    Wedgwood at Auction This July

    The Bonhams / Skinner July 2026 sale will offer approximately 75 lots of Wedgwood, most from the Bruce and Faith Lewis collection. Bruce and Faith of New York City were avid Wedgwood collectors and members of the various Wedgwood societies, with Faith once serving as president of the WSNY. She was also curator of the Buten Collection when it was at Sands Point, NY. Included in the sale are a wide variety of wares spanning from Wedgwood & Bentley to Fairyland Lustre, and including a nice assortment of medallions. Sale #32313 featuring Silver and Wedgwood is a timed online sale opening July 6th and closing on July 16th. Early preview by appointment or open preview July 13, 14, 15. For any questions, please contact Stuart Slavid at 508-970-3278 or email at stuart.slavid@bonhamsskinner.com

  • Highlights of Last Newsletter 5/2026

    May 2026

    • Wedgwood & Wine Lecture Summary
    • Bonham’s-Skinner March Sale Highlights & WSB Visit
    • Upcoming July Bonham’s-Skinner Sale
    • Next Lecture Announcement
    • John Austin & ACC
    • WSB 2026-2027 Programs Preview
    • 4th Annual Summer Social Details
    • Board Slate of Nominees

  • Meeting access – 5/17/2026

    Next meeting: Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. ET

    The next lecture of the WSB will be, “Blooms Transported: Ceramic Vases & Floral Ornament” presented by Leslie Grigsby, Winterthur Senior Curator of Ceramics & Glass, Emerita’ on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET.

    Leslie will begin by hinting at the range of meanings which, throughout history, have been associated with portrayals of flowers and floral ornament. In the Asia or the West, for examples, various blooms might represent one of The Four Seasons (such as Spring) or The Five Senses (Smell). Portrayals of “Flower Sellers,” particularly those in ceramic form, were created for consumers from nearly all levels of society as were a stunning range of vase types. Some flower container shapes trace their origins to wine-related and other vessels from ancient China or classical Greece and Rome. Others, which appeared spontaneously in response to the public’s obsession with novelty, were imitated and modified for decades, only to fade into oblivion.

    Leslie B. Grigsby, Winterthur’s Senior Curator of Ceramics and Glass, Emerita, was responsible at that institution for 20,000+ ceramic and glass objects. She received her BA in Art History from the University of Illinois and her Post-Graduate Diploma in Art Gallery and Museum Studies from the University of Manchester in England. She spent the 1980s as part of the curatorial staff at Colonial Williamsburg. The 1990s saw her writing books on important American ceramics holdings, including the Colonial Williamsburg, Weldon, Chipstone Foundation, and Longridge collections. She joined the Winterthur staff in 1999 and retired in 2025. Leslie has published extensively on 17th- and 18th-century ceramics, design sources, and the histories of dining and drinking and has curated numerous major exhibitions. She has lectured across the USA, Canada, the UK, China, and Australia. In retirement, she continues to teach in Winterthur’s two MA programs and to create sculptural artwork.

    Here is the link for the meeting…

    Topic: WSB Sunday May 17th Meeting & AGM

    Time: May 17, 2026 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

    Join Zoom Meeting

    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89314632498?pwd=ZOMMUXOSbmTXe6AbhbZD1371oOYZhJ.1

    Meeting ID: 893 1463 2498

    Passcode: 717260

    One tap mobile

    +13017158592,,89314632498#,,,,*717260# US (Washington DC)

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    Join instructions

    https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/89314632498/invitations?signature=Mjh1g4ALTqQl3MDWq3kYY-GlrQ5UEMzz559cFZUWYqs

  • Meeting 5/17/2026

    Ceramic Vases & Floral Ornament….

    The next lecture of the WSB will be, “Blooms Transported: Ceramic Vases & Floral Ornament” presented by Leslie Grigsby, Winterthur Senior Curator of Ceramics & Glass, Emerita’ on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET.

    Leslie will begin by hinting at the range of meanings which, throughout history, have been associated with portrayals of flowers and floral ornament. In the Asia or the West, for examples, various blooms might represent one of The Four Seasons (such as Spring) or The Five Senses (Smell). Portrayals of “Flower Sellers,” particularly those in ceramic form, were created for consumers from nearly all levels of society as were a stunning range of vase types. Some flower container shapes trace their origins to wine-related and other vessels from ancient China or classical Greece and Rome. Others, which appeared spontaneously in response to the public’s obsession with novelty, were imitated and modified for decades, only to fade into oblivion.

    Leslie B. Grigsby, Winterthur’s Senior Curator of Ceramics and Glass, Emerita, was responsible at that institution for 20,000+ ceramic and glass objects. She received her BA in Art History from the University of Illinois and her Post-Graduate Diploma in Art Gallery and Museum Studies from the University of Manchester in England. She spent the 1980s as part of the curatorial staff at Colonial Williamsburg. The 1990s saw her writing books on important American ceramics holdings, including the Colonial Williamsburg, Weldon, Chipstone Foundation, and Longridge collections. She joined the Winterthur staff in 1999 and retired in 2025. Leslie has published extensively on 17th- and 18th-century ceramics, design sources, and the histories of dining and drinking and has curated numerous major exhibitions. She has lectured across the USA, Canada, the UK, China, and Australia. In retirement, she continues to teach in Winterthur’s two MA programs and to create sculptural artwork.

    The ZOOM link will be sent members by email a week prior to the meeting; it can also be accessed by WSB members by clicking on the “Members Zone” tab at that time as well.  If you are not already registered for the Members Zone, instructions for registering are provided when you access that page. If you are not a WSB member and would like to partake of all our meetings as well as receive the bi-monthly newsletters, click on the “Become a Member” tab above.

  • Highlights of Last Newsletter 3/2026

    March 2026

    • Art of Icing
    • Japanese Festive Trays
    • Upcoming Bonham’s-Skinner
    • Next Lecture
    • W.I.S. Announcement
    • WSB Programs

  • 1/2026 to 5/2026 Wedgwood in Canada

    Wedgwood in Canada

    Running January 20 through May 31, 2026, in Hamilton, Canada, Beyond Blue & White: Wedgwood Designed for Canada – Hamilton Civic Museums will feature more than 40 Wedgwood pieces reflecting Canadian themes, all from the collection of the late Professor Keith A. McLeod of Toronto. 

  • Meeting access – 3/15/2026

    Next meeting: Sunday, March15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EDST

    The next lecture of the WSB will be, “Wedgwood and Wine: From Cellar to Pantry to Table”, presented by Sandy Olubas, Wedgwood collector and historian, on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EDST (Daylight Savings Time).

    Wedgwood made an amazing amount of ceramics for all types of purposes. This talk is focused on the pieces made for use with wine and related beverages. Production of these began in the 19th century and continues today.  Most are made of creamware, with a few exceptions of earthenware, jasperware, and bone china.  Depending on the time period and the need of the customer, the pieces vary greatly in shape, purpose, and decorative value. Sandy will explore the wonderful world of ‘Wedgwood and Wine’ from the beginning until the 21st century.

    The link for the meeting will be posted here approximately one week before the meeting…

    Topic: WSB Monthly Meeting

    Time: Mar 15, 2026 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time (US and Canada)

    Join Zoom Meeting

    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85649134147?pwd=zWqAlsUHi1HYOCu7QkSWJkLSgjKEfF.1

    Meeting ID: 856 4913 4147

    Passcode: 740435

    One tap mobile

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    Join instructions

    https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/85649134147/invitations?signature=ptlnQSFeMS5Tbf2HoE2P1p3DLh8iYzkSK7LhDuOmcVM


  • Meeting 3/15/2026

    Wedgwood and Wine….a wonderful combination….

    The next lecture of the WSB will be, “Wedgwood and Wine: From Cellar to Pantry to Table”, presented by Sandy Olubas, Wedgwood collector and historian, on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EDST.

    Don’t forget the time is now Daylight Savings Time.

    Wedgwood made an amazing amount of ceramics for all types of purposes. This talk is focused on the pieces made for use with wine and related beverages. Production of these began in the 19th century and continues today.  Most are made of creamware, with a few exceptions of earthenware, jasperware, and bone china.  Depending on the time period and the need of the customer, the pieces vary greatly in shape, purpose, and decorative value. Sandy will explore the wonderful world of ‘Wedgwood and Wine’ from the beginning until the 21st century.

    Sandy was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, graduated with a Bachelors in Information Technology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and received an MBA from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio. Sandy worked in the Information Technology at several Cincinnati companies, to include General Electric Aerospace.  Collecting Wedgwood started during her first trip to England where she found a bone china dinner pattern. Sandy’s main attraction is to what she calls “utilitarian” pieces … those not used in the dining room nor for decorative purposes.  She served as Treasurer for the WIS and has lectured on a number of Wedgwood related topics.  

    The ZOOM link will be emailed to WSB members the week prior. If you are not a WSB member and would like to partake of all our meetings as well as receive the bi-monthly newsletters, click on the “Become a Member” tab above.