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Historical Background
The Ancient World
Tile-making evolved from primitive pottery manufacture, and the earliest architectural sites give evidence of the use of tiles. As soon as the art of glazing was discovered, it became possible to use the thin piece of hard-burned clay, decorated in colors, as a decorative addition to architecture. This aesthetic use of tiles as a facing for walls, distinguishes them from other ceramic products, such as brick, terra-cotta, and roofing units, which are essentially structural.
The Islamic World
The Muslims brought tile to its greatest splendor as a decorative medium. In the countries that came under their influence the tradition of a brilliant ceramic art is still present.
Muslim architecture is distinguished by the lavish tile incrustations upon the exterior surfaces of walls, domes, and minarets, as well as in rooms, mosques, and patios.
Europe and the Americas
Firmly established by the 11th century ceramics became an integral element of architectural decoration in Spain, chiefly for floors and wainscots. From Spain the art was transmitted not only to Italy and Holland and from there to England, but also into Mexico by the Spanish conquerors. The Spaniards in Mexico developed a distinctive style from the 16th to 18th century especially applied in the external decoration of domes.
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The Complete & Original Talavera Collection
Welcome to the largest worldwide distributor of Uriarte Talavera ceramic ware.
In the Urairte Talavera online shop, we attempted to create a colorful, creative and comprehensive collection of unique Uriarte Talavera.
Talavera pottery consists of a wide array of ceramic decorative artifacts produced
by master artists. All Authentic Talavera pottery items originate and are produced, in certified workshops in
the state of Puebla Mexico.
How to buy?
To help you find your way around our site, our Talavera collection is presented in categories (as seen in the left navigation bar), you can either select a category, use our in-site search engine (also in the left navigation bar) or simply browse around the site, to see our magnificent array of Talavera items:
(Ceramic Bowls)
(Serving Plates)
(Flowerpots)
(Vases)
(Mirrors)
(Tiles)
(Ornaments)
(Basins)
(Home Decor)
(Wine Cups)
(KitchenWare)
(Crystals)
What is Talavera?
Ceramic hand-crafted Pottery produced exclusively in the State of Puebla in Mexico.
Only the pottery produced using local Puebla Clay is considered official
Talavera ware.
Talavera production is based on strict rules and expert craftsmanship which withhold traditional techniques in a delicate manufacturing process.
The original Talavera production process was introduced to Mexico by
the Spanish as early as the 16th century.
Interesting Talavera Facts
Certification for Talavera crafting requires hard work and persistence as each one of the
few certified workshops over goes an inspection and verification process every six
months.
Before the second firing all Talavera items look gloomy and dull. The colors that are used
to decorate the items are extracted from different kinds of metal that change their colors
as a reaction to heat.
There are several theories about it's origin in Mexico but the most known story is of
Spanish monks who came from Santo Domingo monastery as craftsmen in order to teach the
native people how to utilize their natural sources to the fullest.
Mexican art and Talavera among it, is famous for it's wide variety of vivid colors.
Talavera is a product of the fusion of Mexican & Spanish styles and influences.
Talavera Manufacturing
Talavera is made from two different kinds of clay (black and white, extracted from natural deposits within the Talavera area) which are mixed and left to dry.
After the clay is mixed it is sent to the workshop where it has to pass the traditional five stages process:
1. Modeling - Each piece is modeled by hand and is left to dry for 8 to 12 weeks.
2. First Firing - Once dry the items are fired at 1562°F(850°C). This process grant the clay it's typical color called jaguete.
3. Glazing - On this stage the pieces are dipped in a glaze. This stage of the process gives the products their unique shine and color of authentic Talavera.
4. Decorating - Each piece is decorated by hand with natural mineral based enamels. This stage preserves the shine and vivid color of the pottery over time and use.
5. Second Firing - Finally, the pieces are fired once again at 1922°F (1050°c), sealing in the colors and preventing leaching.
Preserving these ancient techniques without any compromises as placed Urirate pottery at the top of Puebla's pottery manufacturers, and is the reason why Uriarte Talavera will not lose its glow and color over use and time.
Talavera Today
Today Uriarte Talavera is famous and sought after all over the world.
There are only few workshops in Mexico, all located in Puebla, that offer authentic Talavera
products and the manufacturing process is still being preserved and carried on by individual
families of master craftsmen.
Due to it's unique and complex manufacturing process, Uriarte rare artifacts are considered
valuable works of art and are usually quiet expansive.
Talavera Designs
When we look at the hand painted plates, Talavera jars, vases, and Mexican tiles, we
can detect the confluence of several extraordinary cultures in this type of art. We can
easily observe distinctive characteristics of Spanish, Arabic, Italian and Chinese origin,
and of course the magnificent creativity of the Ladino and Native people of Mexico.
Arabic: in its designs and use of mineral pigments. Keep in mind that the Moors
conquered Spain and had tremendous influence on all the artistic expressions of Spain.
Italian: it is from this Mediterranean country that the term Majolica originates,
and it refers to a process that the Italians used since the 14th Century to produce
ceramics. This technique consisted of applying or brushing pigments on raw or unfired glaze.
Spanish: Spain is the country from which this technique was brought to Mexico,
with a distinctive style that came from Talavera de la Reina.
Chinese: Because of the extensive imports from China to Mexico, Chinese ceramic
was soon imitated, particularly their designs. You can observe this similarity specially on
the blue on white Talavera.
Mexico: Mexican creativity is what makes Talavera a contemporary form of art.
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