The Bijou Material Culture of Black Victorians and Edwardians
with Tanzy Ward
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
7:00 pm Eastern/4:00 pm Pacific
FREE Webinar, Open to All

Join us for a compelling webinar session with historic preservationist, author, and antique dealer Tanzy A. Ward, whose work sits at the intersection of material culture, decorative arts, and the history of the Black diaspora.

Drawing from her extensive research and writing, Ward explores how antique jewelry and visual archives serve as powerful records of Black Victorian and Edwardian life. As the author of Hidden Legacies: African Presence in European Antiques, Unsung Portraits: Anonymous Images of Black Victorians and Early 20th Century Ancestors, and Precious Black Jewels: The Bijou Material Culture of Black Victorians & Edwardians, she brings a uniquely layered perspective to questions of ancestry, identity, and preservation.

Following an introduction by CSA leadership, Ward will share her research on the Bijou material culture of Black Victorian and Edwardian life offering firsthand insight into how these objects illuminate jewelry history. The session will conclude with an interactive discussion, inviting participants to engage directly with Ward around the ongoing importance of preserving antique jewelry.

Click here to register
Registration closes 24 hours prior to the event.
If you missed the deadline, email conversationsondress@costumesocietyamerica.com.