Courtesy of La Fuente Imports
Handmade pottery and fine ceramics are trademarks of Mexican
craftsmanship, but no style is more sought after than the renowned
Talavera. Named after the Spanish city of Talavera de la Reina,
this uniquely Mexican ceramic has gained worldwide acclaim for
its high quality and beauty. A blend of indigenous and European
artistry, the history of Talavera is as colorful as its various patterns.
Talavera is a style of pottery within a larger category of ceramics
called Majolica, referring to any earthenware involving handmade
pottery, ceramics and art. Originally developed in ancient Egypt
and Mesopotamia, this form of clay work was later adopted and
perfected by the Chinese.
In the 13th century, Spain was reluctantly introduced to Majolica
via the Moorish invasion and subsequent occupation. As the Re-
naissance spread across Europe, the practice of creating Majolica
ceramics became more and more refined by Spanish artisans.
During this time, in the region that would later become Mexico,
clay work and pottery had been practiced for centuries. The Aztecs
primarily used red and orange clays for their pottery, and employed
primitive firing techniques. Their pottery was not only useful but
also served as religious art, often depicting gods or tribes within the
culture.
Over the course of their history, the style of Aztec pottery changed
from rigid geometric decoration to a more natural design with animal
and floral patterns.
Like the Aztecs, the Mayan empire also used ceramics as a canvas
for important works of art. According to the desired color and
strength, they sought out a variety of clays for their pottery in river-
beds and valleys.
To reinforce their pottery, they worked ash, sand and small shards
of rock into the clay to achieve proper consistency, then fired the
pieces in open-air kilns. Afterwards, the pottery was adorned with
depictions of Mayan rituals, games and death.
Mexican Talavera, as it is known today, began in the 16th century.
As the Spanish colonization of Mexico was underway, so too was
the inception of what would soon be known as Mexican Talavera.
After founding the city of Puebla, Spanish monks and artisans from
Talavera de la Reina began sharing new techniques with local
natives to enhance their pottery and ceramic skills.
The introduction of the potter's wheel and tin-glazing, along with
new colors and patterns, helped blend centuries of indigenous crafts-
manship with the fine-tuned styles of European, Asian and Arab
pottery and ceramics. As a result, the unmistakable beauty and
quality of Mexican Talavera was born.
It didn't take long for standards and regulations to be set for Mexi-
can Talavera. In order to protect and preserve their product, potters'
guilds were created and the fame of their craftsmanship began to
spread. Churches and monasteries were decorated with vibrant
Talavera tiles, jars and religious figures.
Soon the high demand for these ceramics grew well beyond Mexico,
as Talavera began to be exported back to Europe as well as other
regions of the world.
The demand for authentic Mexican Talavera continues to this day
and can be seen throughout the United States, most notably in the
Southwest. Talavera tiles are used in homes and businesses, meals
are enjoyed on Talavera plates and place settings, and Talavera
planters and vases commonly adorn homes.
Whatever the use, Talavera's rich history and cultural importance
continues to live on in every handmade piece.
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Our thanks to La Fuente Imports for sharing this article with us.
Since 1997 this company, based in Colorado Springs, has been the
internet's top source of furniture and artwork from south of the
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