Talavera pottery is a kind of majolica pottery that is notable for its milky-white glaze, detailed pattern and strong colors. Genuine Talavera pottery only comes from Puebla, Mexico as well as the nearby communities of Cholula, Tecali and Atlixco, due to the quality of the natural clay that can be found there in addition to the tradition of production that goes back to the sixteenth century.
The majority of this pottery was adorned only in blue, although colors like black, orange, mauve, yellow and green have also been utilized. The Spanish brought majolica pottery to Mexico in the colonial period's first century. The production of this earthenware became well developed in Pueblo due to the availability of good clays as well as orders for tiles from monasteries and churches in the area. This industry had grown so much that in the middle of the 17th century, guilds and standards had been founded which further enhanced the quality of the ceramic. To distinguish it from Spain's Talavera pottery, it was called Talavera Poblana which is a mixture of indigenous, Spanish and Italian ceramic techniques.
The design of each piece of pottery is well regulated by tradition. Initially, only cobalt blue was utilized and since it was the most costly pigment, it was highly preferred by most people not only for status but also because it guaranteed the quality of the whole piece. The handcrafting process takes 3 to 4 months and only natural clays are utilized instead of dyed and chemically treated clays. The process of making a piece is risky as it can break any time. This makes Talavera pottery 3 times more expensive than other kinds of pottery.
Talavera pottery is commonly used to create utilitarian items like bowls, plates, jars, religious items, decorative figures, sinks and flowerpots. However, a major use of the earthenware is for tiles that are used to adorn both the outside and inside of buildings in Mexico, particularly in Puebla. Talavera ceramic is not cheap, particularly the larger and fancier pieces.
Many interior designers and collectors appreciate the design of every piece and those who want to own one can find them in various stores that offer these items. Lots of retailers stock window boxes, vases, bowls, animal figurines, planters and garden decoration. Interested individuals can also browse the web to know the online stores that offer Talavera ceramic. Puebla, Mexico is a home to high quality clay and skilled pottery artists, so Talavera pottery boasts of beauty of quality.