10 Apr 2020 Talavera Ceramic Pottery

Pottery is one of the oldest forms of manmade craft and till today is the most loved and utilized form of handicraft. The pottery handicraft industry has created and contributed to the human civilization in many ways. It started with simple utilitarian products like utensils and slowly gave way to decorative vases and similar things. From then, several types of pottery came into existence. Amongst many types pottery today we will talk about the famous Talavera ceramic pottery.

Talavera Style Plate for Wall Decor

Here is a little bit of history. Talavera, in Puebla, Mexico, is a type of majolica pottery. Authentic Talavera pottery only comes from the city of Puebla, because of the quality of the natural clay found there and the tradition of production which goes back to the 16th century.

Talavera Coffee Mug from Mexico

Majolica pottery was brought to Mexico by the Spanish in the first century of the colonial period. Production of this ceramic became highly developed in Puebla because of the availability of fine clay. Formally, the tradition that developed there is called Talavera Poblana to distinguish it from the similarly named Talavera pottery of Spain. It is a mixture of Italian, Spanish and indigenous ceramic techniques.

Talavera Style Ceramic Flower Pot

The Production process and the typical design: The design of the pieces is highly regulated by tradition. The paint ends up slightly raised over the base. In the early days, only a cobalt blue was used, as this was the most expensive pigment, making it highly sought after not only for prestige but also because it ensured the quality of the entire piece.

Usage: Talavera ceramic is mostly used to make utilitarian items such as plates, bowls, jars, flowerpots, sinks, religious items and decorative figures. However, a significant use of the ceramic is for tiles, which are used to decorate both the inside and outside of buildings in Mexico, especially in the city of Puebla.

Talavera Decorative Vase

In modern days, the Talavera ceramic pottery is more of a design element which can transform any boring home into a colorful one. Explore the best of Talavera pottery here and take home the charm!

Pushpita is a freelance writer on world handicrafts and lifestyle. Pushpita holds a Masters in English literature and is a rich media professional.