Puebla’s Talavera Earthenware Pottery

MH456a - Talavera PlateWorks of art good enough to eat off – that’s the essence of Talavera pottery.

The Mexican pottery, which has been around for 400 years and is primarily made in Puebla City, is an artistic and practical achievement. Vases, cups, plates, serving bowls, and tiles, called azulejos, are some of the items I saw being made in Uriate Talavera factory where the highly regarded, expensive pottery is hand made. The factory, which was established in 1824, is one of Puebla city’s most renowned because it is one of the few authentic Talavera workshops left today. Talavera is one of Mexico’s most unique items, making it a worthwhile gift to bring home.

Puebla City is located sixty miles southeast of Mexico City, making it a convenient hop, skip, and a jump away – and a convenient escape – from Mexico City, which is the world’s largest. Puebla City, which is also the capital of the same name state, is the country’s fourth largest urban center. Approximately two million people live there. The residents, who call themselves poblanos, live in the most European of all of Mexico’s colonial cities. The Spanish established and planned the 16th century city from the  ground up, rather than building it within an existing indigenous community. They did this because the location was on the main route between Mexico City and Veracruz, which was at that time the most important port in the country. Puebla City is situated at a height of 7,000 feet above sea level and is  blessed with a temperate, year round climate.

While the Spanish may have first introduced the highly decorative art from their home country when they settled in the heart of Mexico, diverse artistic styles, including Moorish and Oriental cultural nuances transformed the colonizer’s craft to what it is today. The Moorish influence of cobalt blue patterns on white appeared on Mexican pottery around the late 15th century, while the Oriental styles of animals and floral designs were first seen in the mid-16th century. To be authentic, Talavera pottery (named after a town in Spain) must be hand-painted in intricate designs using natural dyes derived from minerals. The colors used include blue, black, yellow, green and reddish pink.   During a ninety-minute tour of the factory, we learned just how long it takes to make these detailed works of art. And while the pottery is expensive to purchase, even at the point of production, our tour helped us understand why. The factory usually offers free tours that are shorter, but our group of writers was interested in learning minute details about how the pottery is made.

First, black or white clay is soaked for several days in water to soften it, said Angela Garcia, the cheerful tour guide who patiently answered all our questions. Both colors give the same end pink result, she said, but only clays from four areas, Puebla, Cholula, Tecalli and Amococ, are used in making Talavera pottery. A sieve is used to strain the clay, which breaks it into fine, uniform particles that will give the earthenware a smoother finish. The clay is then left in vats for several days to separate out the water.

Next, a potter molds the clay, sometimes by hand, and at other times with a potter’s wheel, after which he or she rubs it with a damp sponge to create a fine finish. The molded clay is left in the sun to dry for up to five days, depending on its size. Once the pottery is thoroughly dry, it is baked for about eight hours at 2000 degrees Fahrenheit in a handmade brick oven. We observed employees banging the pottery with a steel stick to check if there were any tiny hidden cracks. “The pottery should sound like a bell” if there  are no cracks, Garcia said. The fire-worked clay is then dipped for about three seconds in a lead-free yellow-like glaze which turns to white once dry, and “any tiny imperfections are reglazed,” Garcia said. “The fingerprint made while lifting the item out of the glaze is also filed down,” she added.

The individual creative paintwork which is done on each piece by the factory’s fifteen painters comes next. The designs are transferred to the ceramic by the use of carbon paper on a paper stencil, and the resulting dot pattern is then used as a guide for the handpainted designs. The length of time it takes to finish painting a ceramic piece depends on how intricate the design is and the size of each piece, the guide explained. When we visited, artists were painting huge urns, small serving dishes and 18 tiles that comprised the picture of the Virgin Mary.

When dry, the paint’s mineral colors change composition. Orange changes to yellow, black to green, brown to red, and light blue becomes dark blue, Garcia said. The earthenware objects are once again oven-fired, resulting in a hard, brightly colored surface. The pieces are now ready to be sold, either in the factory’s on-site shop or abroad, including the United States, Canada, Spain, Venezuela, and Peru. About 70 pieces a day are made by the approximately 200 employees, a sign of just how labor intensive the creative process is.

Jose Luis Hernandez from the local tourist office scraped the surface of a tile to demonstrate the high quality workmanship. The tile showed no signs of damage, a proof of its high quality, said the official who’d accompanied the writing group to the factory. “Although the prices are high, the pottery is  genuine” and not all local shops are selling the real thing, he emphasized.

Besides a visit to the pottery factory, the city’s compact, historic downtown is famous for the many 17th and 18th century colonial buildings that are ornately decorated with Talavera tiles. With more than seventy churches and one thousand colonial buildings in the central area alone, visitors feel like they are walking around an open air museum.

An outstanding use of 16th century Talavera tile is found in the former kitchen in the Ex-Convento de Santa Rosa de Lima. The building is now the state artisan museum, or Museo de Artesanias del Estado. The kitchen’s huge, multi-domed interior is covered from top to bottom with the famous tilework.  However, what may be even more interesting for the locals is what’s said to have been invented there – Puebla’s renowned mole sauce. The dark colored sauce, which can contain up to one hundred ingredients, is supposed to have been invented by the Dominican nuns as a surprise for their demanding gourmet bishop. Mole sauces, which have many different flavors, generally contain fresh and smoked chile, pepper, peanuts, almonds, tomato, onion, spices, and, of course, chocolate, of which the best known is made with a bitter variety. Food supplies in the kitchen were cleverly kept cool by a double wall that had water running in between.

The Museum of Santa Monica is another worthwhile stop. Generations of nuns secretly hid there when the Reform Laws of 1857 closed church-owned buildings after Benito Juarez separated church and state. To survive, the nuns sold candies and embroideries during almost eight decades of clandestine activity.

The museum houses religious art and items of self-flagellation, including whips and crowns of thorns in some of the former nuns’ penance rooms.

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is considered one of Mexico’s best proportioned cathedrals, is the second largest in the country, and also has the highest towers. Built between 1575 and 1649, the main altar has sixteen marble columns, and the large floor and several statues are also made of the same  material. Gold leaf decoration is used in some of the many chapels, and a huge bronze statue of the Virgin Mary weighs 300 tons. When I visited, a priest was hearing a penitent’s confession without the usual private door separating them.

The Amparo Museum has an excellent collection of pre-Hispanic and colonial artifacts displayed in two linked colonial buildings whose architecture was influenced by indigenous designs. A glass case displayed an unidentified animal and perhaps a man about to be sacrificed in Veracruz some 2,500 years  ago, and there were also Olmec masks, a feature of Olmec civilization three millennia ago. The museum, which opened in 1991, was the first in the world to have a computerized touch screen that answers visitors’ questions about museum artifacts.

The House of the Puppets, near the main square, is the city’s most comical structure. The building’s exaggerated statues are a caricature of the city fathers who took the house’s owner, Agustin de Ovando y Villavicencio, to court because his building was taller than theirs. He added the statues, which represented various officials, to get his revenge on the small-minded officials.

The Barrio del Artista, on the pedestrian-only Calle 8 Norte, is a lovely place to wander around while looking at artists at work in their open studios. Their paintings can also be purchased. The imposing principal theater, or Teatro Principal, is nearby.

Other unusual but-worth-visiting-places, which I didn’t have time to see, include the African Safari Park, reputed to be one of the best places in Mexico for African wildlife. The park is located about ten miles southeast of the city. I also didn’t have time to visit the house of culture, or Casa de la Cultura, a classic brick and tile Puebla building that occupies a block facing the cathedral. Formerly the bishop’s palace, it is now home to the tourist and other government offices. The Palafox Library upstairs has thousands of valuable books, including the 1493 Nuremberg Chronicle which has more the 2,000 engravings.

Puebla is noted for its cuisine, and many consider it to be the best in the country. It’s believed that the Santa Monica nuns (cooking rivals to the mole-making Dominican nuns) invented chiles en nogada, a seasonal dish that’s available from July to September. It’s said to have been created in 1821 to  honor Agustin de Iturbide, the first ruler after Mexico’s independence. To make chiles en nogada, a poblano chilli is filled with ground meats and fruits. It is then covered with a sauce of chopped walnuts and cream, and topped with red pomegranate seeds. The overall effect is colors representing the green, white and red of the Mexican flag.

For deserts, Sweets Street, as its name implies, sells almost nothing but things-bad-for-the-teeth –  candies, including camote, a popular regional treat made from sweet potatoes and fruit, and cochinitos, which is made of bread, molasses and sugar. Famous treats from other regions like crystallized fruits, coconut candies, and bisnaga, a sweet made from cactus and sugar boiled together, are also available in the many sweet-tasting stores.

Sweets Street was a fitting ending to a city well worth a return visit.

This article is from the August 2001 – September 2001 The Mexico File newsletter.  
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Yvonne Moran is a freelance writer and a former general assignment daily reporter. Her stories have been published in The New York Times, Connecticut Post, The Advocate, Greenwich Time, Irish America Magazine and Fairfield County magazines, amongst others. She contributes travel stories to several websites and also writes for national Irish newspapers and magazines. She has been writing about travel for more than a decade. Yvonne contributed an article on Chiapas for the July 2001 issue of Mexico File. Yvonne can be reached through email at ymmoran@aol.com for comments and questions. For this article, she visited one of the Puebla’s most famous pottery factories, but discovered that the city offers a lot more besides.

Talavera Jars for Color & Beauty

If you are in love with vibrant color or simply want to add some beauty to your interior design, our collection of Talavera Jars and Vases are sure to do the trick. Every jar and vase is handmade of clay in the classic Talavera style by specialized artists outside of Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico. Each Talavera design is painted by hand and is sure to make a wonderful addition to your home decor.

Talavera Ginger Jar

If you are in love with vibrant color or simply want to add some beauty to your interior design, our collection of Talavera Jars and Vases are sure to do the trick. Every jar and vase is handmade of clay in the classic Talavera style by specialized artists outside of Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico.

Using modern, high-temperature kilns each Talavera jar and vase has a strong and durable finish that resists chips and cracks. Talavera was introduced to Mexico by Spanish guild artisans of the Colonial period. Known as “majolica” in Spain, Mexican Talavera draws its name from the 16th century Spanish pottery center, Talavera de la Reina, where imagination and persistence led to enormous strides in the world’s knowledge of fine ceramics. Thus, while the intricate polychrome and more typical blue and white designs portray their old world legacy, the indigenous floral and celestial motifs featured on our site claim the ceramics as classically Mexican.

Talavera pottery is known for brilliant colors set against a pristine white background. Typically, the vivid patterns are slightly raised, and the entire piece is smoothed over by a glossy sheen. Yellow, green and mauve were traditionally the most prolific colors used to decorate Talavera, although cobalt blue was the most desired. Due to the expensive mineral pigments required for its use, this regal color became a way to identify the finest quality of Talavera ceramics.

Today, Talavera patterns can be simple and bold or elaborate and highly detailed. Floral patterns are perhaps the most common, but when it comes to Mexican Talavera, creativity is limitless. Although some patterns might appear similar, hand-painted Talavera is never identical. This should be no cause for concern, however, as color and pattern themes almost always exist, and the individual character of each piece will only enhance your Talavera collection or home decor.

The Allure of Mexican Talavera

The world of interior design knows Talavera pottery as an ornate style of ceramics produced solely in Mexico by proud local Mexican Talavera Pottery

artisans. These vibrantly colored, handcrafted works of art have been fashioned in the same way for centuries and appreciated for their quality and aesthetics for just as long. So what is it about Mexican Talavera that makes it so special?

The world of interior design knows Talavera pottery as an ornate style of ceramics produced solely in Mexico by proud local artisans.

As you can imagine, Mexican Talavera has a long and rich history. Named after the Spanish village of Talavera de la Reina, this renowned ceramic art boasts a melting pot of multiculturalism. The Spanish contribution dates back to the invasion of the Moors, who brought their knowledge of ceramics from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, and which was later refined by a combination of the Italian Renaissance and artisans from the Orient. Later, Spanish colonists brought their highly refined ceramic skills to Mexico, where they were once again blended with the unique pottery styles of Aztec, Mayan and other indigenous cultures.

It’s not just the history of Mexican Talavera that makes it so desirable. Excellent craftsmanship is a common trademark of Talavera pottery. The process begins by blending together two different clays, then soaking them thoroughly in water to improve pliability. When it’s determined that the clay is ready, having been removed of impurities, it’s then formed into the desired shape by hand, molds or a potter’s wheel. Next, the newly constructed form is left to dry for up to three months. Once the artist has inspected and approved the dried clay, the piece then undergoes the first of two firings. The initial firing turns the clay into a reddish-orange color that is then brightly painted with intricate patterns – a trademark of Talavera ceramics. Afterwards, the pottery is submerged in a special tin-glaze, then fired once more. The final product – what was once an ordinary mound of clay – is now a beautiful work of Talavera art.

Talavera pottery is known for brilliant colors set against a pristine white background. Typically, the vivid patterns are slightly raised, and the entire piece is smoothed over by a glossy sheen. Yellow, green and mauve were traditionally the most prolific colors used to decorate Talavera, although cobalt blue was the most desired. Due to the expensive mineral pigments required for its use, this regal color became a way to identify the finest quality of Talavera ceramics.

Today, Talavera patterns can be simple and bold or elaborate and highly detailed. Floral patterns are perhaps the most common, but when it comes to Mexican Talavera, creativity is limitless. Although some patterns might appear similar, hand-painted Talavera is never identical. This should be no cause for concern, however, as color and pattern themes almost always exist, and the individual character of each piece will only enhance your Talavera collection or home décor. This is especially true if you consider decorating your home with Talavera tile.

One of the most predominant characteristics of colonial Mexican cities, in particular the city of Puebla located in central Mexico, is the beautiful Talavera tiles. In the 17th and 18th centuries, as the production of Talavera pottery continued to grow, striking tile and tile murals began to adorn Mexican churches, buildings, stairways, gardens and homes. These architectural examples splashed color in an otherwise dull stretch of concrete and brought kitchens and bathrooms to life in a way that only Talavera tile could deliver. Now, more than ever, this style continues to be embraced as authentically Mexican.

When it comes to Mexican and southwestern home décor, Talavera pottery and Talavera tile can be an essential part of capturing an authentic design motif. At La Fuente Imports we strive to offer the most outstanding and diverse selection of handcrafted Talavera tiles found anywhere on the web. Also, be sure to browse our exceptional Talavera plates and platters, plus everything else for decorating your home including Talavera vases, canisters, planters and more!

The Talavera Serving Bowl

Authentic Talavera Servings Platters and BowlsHaving its origins in Puebla Mexico, and echoing that tradition, all of the paint used in our Talavera products are 100% lead free. Originally, only vegetable dyes and all natural pigments were used. Each artisan had their own unique style and only four different pigments were allowed to be used in order for a piece to qualify as Talavera. Today, several other colors have been added and since the pallet has expanded, so has the colorful festive nature of the pieces.

Our serving bowl is a perfect complement to any type of dining room table. If you have a minimalist table with a modern sleek design styling, this serving bowl with its punch of color would look perfect gracing the tabletop. Perhaps your design styles are more traditional in nature. If that is the case, this brightly colored festive bowl will perfectly complement the traditional flair of your dining room. You simply cannot go wrong using our Talavera serving bowl as a design element in your room.

Consider these other design ideas as well:

For your entryway. Place the serving bowl on your entryway or console table filled with potpourri to greet guests with a wonderful aroma as they enter your home. The aroma combined with the colorful presentation of the serving bowl is a wonderful way to welcome friends into your space.

Hallway table. Try filling the serving bowl with ornaments during the holiday season, or other items such as shells, or even pine cones during off seasons to create a fantastic display in your hallway. One of these bowls, positioned on a small side table at the end of a hallway, makes a great statement and also provides a fantay not place onestic focal point for the space.

Bedroom. Wh of these on top of your dresser, or a side reading table in your bedroom, to create a more intimate space? You could fill the bowl with dried flower potpourri and a few decorative wooden balls to ground the reading nook or crown your dresser top.

Bathroom. Place one of these on a “his and hers” vanity in your bathroom to not only divide the space, but add a little bit of dramatic flair too. You could have fun with it and put washcloths or other small toiletry items inside for guests to use during their stay. The color and functionality will make for a great accessory item in the bathroom.

You could place these in outdoor seating areas, beside your sofa on a side table, place them on your sofa table, the possibilities are truly limited only by what you can come up with. You could go off-the-cuff and fill one of the serving bowls with oranges and place it on your kitchen counter. What a great way to add a bit of color and display as well as functionality, to your kitchen! As stated before, the design options are truly limitless..

We have several different styles and patterns to choose from, so you should have no trouble finding a bowl that suits your taste and tickles your fancy. Head over to La Fuente now and make one of these Talavera serving bowls yours today!

 

Authentic Talavera for Spring Entertaining

Talavera Serving Bowl - Made in MexicoWarmer weather is just around the corner and it will soon be time to catch up with old friends, make new friends, and throw some spectacular parties. Whether the occasion is a casual barbeque filled with hot dogs and the perfect burger, or a formal occasion packed with relatives you have not seen in months, our Talavera place settings will make the affair festive and bright.

Made in the traditions of Talavera Pottery, each piece of the place setting is filled with vibrant bold color. The skill takes years to accomplish. Artisans undergo training and must complete an apprenticeship before they are free to produce Talavera on their own. This process is what has kept Talavera pottery alive and well for many years. The quality and skill show through in the pattern and color application. .

We have many distinct patterns to choose from that will offset your decor. Patterns that feature the traditional Talavera blues and greens pop nicely against outdoor wood grains or grand dining room tables. Patterns featuring reds and yellows will work with just about any bright upbeat design tone. Due to the fact that they are handmade, the individual pieces may vary slightly. Their color and design depend on the type of pottery used and the artisan who produced the piece. Yet, the slight variations are why we love Talavera pottery so much.

Not to mention, we love it because there are so many items to choose from. Everything from soup bowls, neck and readings, salad plates, cups and saucers, coffeepots, serving platters, and many more pieces of serving ware make design options almost limitless. Your guests are sure to feel right at home and you will certainly be viewed as the most gracious host. No party is truly complete without at least a few of our Talavera place settings. Order yours today and be the star of the show.

 

Mexican Pottery is the Pride of Mexico

Talavera PotteryWe live in a world where technology, Internet and LCD screens are everyday conversation. But some people like to take us a break and enjoy the simple things that have been with us for many centuries. In Mexico we are very proud of our Mexican pottery called Talavera.

The pottery was used by our ancestors for everyday use, but also as part of their religious rites. So we can find a wide variety of ways, because although they could be used to bring water, were also placed proudly in the center of the ceremonies that took place.

An authentic pottery is made entirely by hand, using techniques that our ancestors discovered and that even today are passed by tradition from grandfather to childs. While today are manufactured in serie the fake ceramic, for do a real ceramic is required about a month of work.

Clay usually used for processing, so we can ensure a very strong product that will stand the test of time. Originally this material was used to keep water cool, then before the intense heat of this country, they had a way to maintain a good temperature this vital liquid.

The crafts used for daily use are usually brown, keeping the color of the earth. But for decorating the home is unusual to keep that color, it is common that is decorated with colors that give it new life.

There are different types of Mexican pottery throughout the country, each region has its own style that characterizes it. For example, there Talavera Puebla, which is valued worldwide for its beauty and level of complexity in their development.
If you come to Mexico, you can visit the many states out there. Everyone has their own style, so you probably end up finding something according to your tastes and needs. We have crafts of all sizes and colors for your home.

In conclusion, in Mexico we are very proud of our ceramics. Has a unique globally which is prized by people who know art. Do not be fooled by imitations, the real is reality by craftsmen who are still using ancient methods.

History of Mexican Talavera Pottery

Authentic Talavera Pottery - Fruit BowlMoors Contribution

During the 8th century, the Moors from Northern Africa conquered Spain. The Moors brought with them majolica pottery. Majolica is an art form that is known for its unique glazing process and exquisite design details. A major component of majolica is its glazing technique which contains tin as an ingredient. This technique for applying the glaze creates a creamy-white background that is perfect for applying colorful designs. The designs and use of mineral pigments originated from the Moors who conquered Spain and had tremendous influence on all the artistic expressions of Spain.

Egyptian Contribution

During the 8th century, the Arabs controlled Spain. The process of pottery making was first developed in ancient Egypt and was later refined by the Chinese. The production of pottery became very popular as a result of the Arab occupation of Spain. Muslim potters brought knowledge of using different materials and new techniques that radically changed pottery production in Spain. As a result, their influence was widespread. After the expulsion of the Muslims in the 16th and 17th centuries, many potters continued to use the intricate designs and vibrant colors such as copper green and manganese purple-black which were well known in Islamic pottery.

Chinese Contribution

In the late 16th century Spain opened trade with China by way of Mexico. As a result of the Chinese imports, the Mexicans began to incorporate the designs that were found on the Chinese porcelain. For example, the floral and feather motif to fill empty spaces on the blue and white Talavera exhibits Chinese influence. China contributed much of the motifs used today in Mexican talavera. The blue and white color, panel design, and even the barrel-shaped pottery were some of the Chinese influences that we still see today on modern pieces of talavera pottery.

Spanish and Mexican Contributions

The indigenous people of Mexico, long acquainted with making items from clay, had their own distinct method of producing earthenware, one which did not involve glazing or the use of the potter’s wheel. The indigenous people of Mexico had a rich and long history of producing pottery long before the arrival of the Spaniards. However, with the arrival of the Spaniards in the 1600s new techniques such as the wheel, tin based glazes, and new styles were introduced. The combination of the newly learned Spanish techniques and the techniques of the indigenous people of Mexico gave birth to a new form of pottery, talavera. The name talavera is derived from the city Talavera de La Reina, Spain. The Spaniards from this city brought their pottery craftsmanship to the new world and taught the indigenous people of Mexico the art. Mexico was very proud of their new found success in the production of high quality talavera. In order to prevent th talavera from losing its high quality craftsmanship, the Potter’s Guild was formed in 1653. The Potter’s Guild set forth ordinances regulating the production of talavera pottery. The Potter’s Guild was replaced by the Talavera Regulating Council in 1993.

The Moors, Chinese, Egyptians, Spaniards, and Mexicans should all be credited for the creation of Mexican talavera pottery. After their creation, the Potter’s Guild and the Talavera Regulating Council have worked hard to keep talavera authentic and of high quality. The lovely pieces of Mexican talavera pottery are a multicultural, regulated art form that expresses centuries of dedication and gratitude for its heritage. So next time you think, “Mexican talavera pottery,” you will actually be thinking, “Moor, Chinese, Egyptian, Spanish, and Mexican talavera pottery!”

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7 Ways to Distinguish an Authentic Versus a Fake Talavera

Authentic Talavera Ginger JarAre you interested to own and have been looking for genuine Talavera products?  How would you know that the products offered by online distributors, and offline dealers and retailers are really authentic? Beware of imitations!

Talavera is a tin-enameled earthenware, Majolica pottery made and comes only from Puebla, Mexico, and its nearby communities of Atlixco, Cholula and Tecali.

This world-renowned hand-painted pottery is notable by a milky-white glaze. It comes in different forms, including both functional and decorative pieces such as plates, serving dishes, vases and tiles.

Here are some characteristics of genuine Talavera pottery:

Talavera is made from a mixture of only two clays, a dark clay and a light, slightly rose-colored clay.

The source of clay supply to make the Talavera comes from the Talavera geographic zone of Puebla and the communities of Atlixco, Cholula and Tecali.

Talavera is hand formed with a potter’s wheel or using molds, not poured. They are also hand-painted.

Talavera pieces have gone through two firings. The oven used to fire Talavera should be at least 800 degrees Celsius.

Talavera uses six color pigments, and its color combination enhances the workmanship sophistication of Talavera pieces.

The Talavera item is created by certified workshops in the state of Puebla Mexico using the traditional Talavera process.Workshops producing authentic Talavera are certified by passing an inspection and verification process at least every six months. The Mexican Talavera Regulatory Council regulates the production of Talavera and restricts the use of the term to items produced within the designated zone of Puebla. There are only less than 20 certified workshops producing genuine Talavera.

Certified Talavera pieces bear the signature of the potter, the logo of the workshop and the special hologram that certifies the piece’s authenticity. Only pieces from workshops that meet the standards are certified.

You can buy Talavera in many shops and throughout places in Mexico and globally. Some workshops also offer tours where you can see how it is being made.

There are also a number of shops now that offer non-certified and authentic but still high quality Talavera products.

Authentic Talavera is costly, as every piece is one of its kind and of excellent quality. However, imitations may be as pricey and seemingly unique. You need to be extra careful that your money is really worth the Talavera item you have with.

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Mexican Pottery, Pride of Mexico

Talavera Ginger Jar by Maximo HuertaWe live in a world where technology, Internet and LCD screens are everyday conversation. But some people  like to take us a break and enjoy the simple things that have been with us for many centuries. In Mexico we are very proud of our Mexican pottery

The pottery was used by our ancestors for everyday use, but also as part of their religious rites. So we can find a wide variety of ways, because although they could be used to bring water, were also placed proudly in the center of the ceremonies that took place.

An authentic pottery is made entirely by hand, using techniques that our ancestors discovered and that even today are passed  by tradition from grandfather to childs. While today are manufactured in serie the fake ceramic, for do a real ceramic is required about a month of work.

Clay usually used for processing, so we can ensure a very strong product that will stand the test of time. Originally this material was used to keep water cool, then before the intense heat of this country, they had a way to maintain a good temperature this vital liquid.

The crafts used for daily use are usually brown, keeping the color of the earth. But for decorating the home is unusual to keep that color, it is common that is decorated with colors that give it new life.

There are different types of Mexican pottery throughout the country, each region has its own style that characterizes it. For example, there Talavera Puebla, which is valued worldwide for its beauty and level of complexity in their development.

If you come to Mexico, you can visit the many states out there. Everyone has their own style, so you probably end up finding something according to your tastes and needs. We have crafts of all sizes and colors for your home.

In conclusion, in Mexico we are very proud of our ceramics. Has a unique globally which is prized by people who know art. Do not be fooled by imitations, the real is reality by craftsmen who are still using ancient methods.

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Go From Bland To Unique With Mexican Tile For Your Home

Authentic Talavera TileMexican tiles mainly get their inspiration from the culture and history of Mexico. You can find many different types of tiles that all have a specific, unique design on them. The options that you have are limitless, as long as you have enough room for that much tile. With the options that you have, you can either go for hand painted and crafted, or you can purchase them factory made. The factory made tiles are generally less expensive than the hand crafted tiles.

The most popular type of Mexican tile are the ones that are hand crafted, although you also have the option of purchasing factory made tiles. The tile is generally a terracotta tile or ceramic tile that is painted with a unique Mexican design. There are many different types of Mexican tiles, although the most widely used are the hand painted ones such as Talavera tiles.

Mexican Tiles That Are Hand Crafted

You might be wondering what is so special about hand crafted tiles. First of all, you will be receiving a unique style that could never be produced in a factory setting. When you choose to go with hand painted tiles, you are buying something that has so much beauty and character that a factory could never compare. The design that is painted on the tiles depends on culture.

The greatest advantage that you will get from using Mexican tile in your home is the ability to capture the Mexican culture. This is the main reason why hand painted and hand crafted Mexican tiles are so desirable. You can use their design to bring out the rustic Mexican heritage in your home.

Talavera Mexican Tiles

Talavera tiles are considered the most popular type of Mexican tile that there is. These are the tiles that have bright designs and colors that you would find in bathrooms, sinks, kitchens, stairs and backsplashes. When placed together, these ceramic tiles can come in geometrical and symmetrical designs that can create amazing patterns.

The most interesting fact about these tiles is the reasoning behind their design. These tiles are meant to have small flaws, which helps to bring out their rustic appearance and setting. The color of the finish or paint may have small imperfections that help to bring out the Mexican design and culture. The most common size of these tiles is 4×4, but they have also been seen in larger and smaller sizes.

The most amazing thing about using Mexican tiles is that to some extent, the designs and colors will never be the same as another set of tiles. They are unique in their own way and show just how artistic the Mexican culture is. Even if you purchasing plain, solid colored Mexican tiles, they are still able to capture the rustic heritage of Mexican’s. It doesn’t matter whether you are searching for the right type of hand painted tiles, Talavera tiles to use in your sinks or on your walls, or you would prefer Saltillo tiles to use outdoors for your patio, you will be able to capture the Mexican culture in your home.

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