The Story of Talavera Pottery
Talavera is a type of majolica earthenware of a
distinct creamy- white glazed decoration produced only in the
State of Puebla in Mexico.
Talavera is the oldest tin-glazed ceramic in America
and it is still being manufactured with the same techniques as
in the 16th Century.
Puebla was not only considered to be the second
most important city in Mexico after the country’s capital
Mexico City, it was also the most important earthenware center
of the Nueva España, which was the name of Mexico in Colonial
times.
The production of tiles and ceramic ware in Puebla
started almost immediately after the city was established in 1531.
Thanks to the abundance of quality clay in the region and to the
splendor of the arts at that time in Puebla, in a short time the
Talavera Poblana achieved such quality and beauty that it was
soon exported to the rest of the continent.
There are several theories about its origin in
Mexico, but the most accepted explanation is that Spanish monks
from the Santo Domingo monastery in Puebla sent for craftsmen
from Talavera de la Reina to teach the indigenous people of the
region how to work the clay so they could create pieces similar
to the ones produced in Spain. They wanted to decorate their monastery
and church with tiles and religious sculptures .
The indigenous people of Mexico were very accomplished
potters and already had a very long tradition producing earthenware.
However, they did not know how to use the potter's wheel or tin-glaze
their pottery, which is one of the main characteristics of the
majolica ceramic.
Other theories state that the Dominican friars
were the ones who knew how to produce this type of ceramic and
that they taught the Indians how to do it.
The truth is there are documents that record the
presence of several craftsmen from Talavera de la Reina in Puebla
during the 16th Century, who established their workshops to produce
tiles and ceramic ware. It was a very profitable business since
there were so many churches and monasteries being built.
In time, a potter’s guild was formed and Ordinances
were laid down that all of the potters who wished to produce Talavera
had to follow. This was done so that the quality of the ceramics
called Talavera was uniform and that this earthenware had a distinctive
style and excellence.
Some of the rules established by the Ordinances
were:
The color blue was to be used on the finest ceramic.
This was so because the mineral pigments needed to produce this
color were very expensive. The customer could then easily distinguish
the quality of fine ceramic from one of lesser quality.
To avoid falsifications each master potter had to
sign or mark his products.
Three types of earthenware were to be produced,
depending on the quality of the pieces: Fine, Semi fine, and for
Daily use.
Yearly there were to be examinations that the craftsmen
had to pass in order to be considered master potters.
When we look at the plates, jars, vases, and 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 Mestizos and Indigenous 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: It is from Spain that the technique is
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 especially in the blue
Talavera.
Mexico: It is Mexican artistry and creativity that
makes of Talavera, a contemporary art form.
It was during the 18th Century that Talavera “dresses
up” with colors: green, mauve, yellow, in addition to the
blue tones so popular in the 16th and 17th Centuries.
Talavera was not limited to the production of pots,
plates, jars and religious figures. It reached other spheres of
life in Puebla. The azulejos, tiles, splendidly decorated cupolas,
façades of monasteries and buildings, and was the quintessential
element of Puebla’s baroque architecture. They were splendidly
used in kitchens, this fantastic culinary “laboratories”
from which so many dishes were created.
It is an esthetical treat to stroll through the
colonial streets of Puebla and be able to see its splendid architecture,
and the marvelous creativity that reached all spheres of this
city’s life.
The use of azulejos denoted the prosperity of the
owners of a particular house or building. So much so that a popular
saying at that time stated that someone who wouldn’t amount
to anything in life would never have a Casa de Azulejos or a house
of tiles.
Nowadays, Talavera is still very popular, and pieces
of extraordinary quality are still being produced. Unfortunately,
there are also many poor imitations. When you buy an authentic
Talavera piece, it must be signed at the base by the workshop
that produces it, and it must state that it is from Puebla.
There are only a few Talavera certified workshops
in Mexico.
Talavera is the name given only to the earthenware
produced in Puebla by these authorized workshops and Certified
by the Talavera Board. Every 6 months these workshops have to
pass an inspection and verification process in order to be able
to call their wares Talavera.