Talavera Pottery

Mexican art of all kinds is plentiful in Tucson. You see it in restaurants, homes, on the street corner...it's everywhere. One particular form of art that is extremely popular in Tucson is Mexican pottery. I have seen many sizes, shapes and colors of pottery in the 24 years I have lived here, but one type stands out to me, and that is Talavera pottery.

What is it?

Talavera is a glazed ceramic pottery that has been created in Mexico since the 16th century. It remains a beautiful artform today, coming to us from Puebla, Mexico. Photo to the left thanks to bigbadbob1, flickr.com

What's the history?
It is most likely that soon after its establishment in 1531, the people of Puebla hired artisans from Talavera de la Reina, Spain to come and teach them the art of ceramic pottery making, mainly for the purpose of decorating monasteries with tiles of religious figures and symbols.

Below is a Talavera bowl feauturing the image of the Virgin of Gaudalupe, thanks to teyacapan, flickr.com

How is it made?

Talavera begins with the selection of two different types of clay. These clays are kneaded together, and then left to dry in a mold or shape formed by the artist. The piece is then fired in a kiln at 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. After this it is glazed, and painted, usually with a floral or geometrical pattern. It can only be painted with 6 different colors: blue, green, yellow, red, brown and black. When the painting is finished, the piece is put in a kiln and fired at 1900 degrees Fahrenheit. There are is a small number of factories making Talavera pottery. Here is a picture of one factory in Puebla, Mexico (photo below thanks to shutzele, flickr.com)

But how do I know it's a real Talavera?

"To avoid confusion, the Mexican Government has decreed that the use of the name ‘Talavera’ be protected and limited to a geographical area in and around the city of Puebla. In 1997 the State of Puebla obtained the Denomination of Origin stating that only the pottery produced in the geographical region of the State of Puebla or Zona de Talavera (Talavera Zone), including Atlixco, Cholula, Puebla and Tecali, and that follows the standards set by the Consejo Regulador de la Talavera (Regulating Council of Talavera) can be called ‘Talavera’. In order to be certified these workshops have to pass an inspection and verification process every six months. So, just as Champagne is only produced in Champagne, France, Talavera can only be produced in Puebla, Mexico." Information from http://www.loscabosguide.com/necri/talavera-pottery.htm

I pasted this info from another site because it was too great to paraphrase. Talavera is such a unique and beautiful artform that the Mexican government has gone to great lengths to protect it. If the piece does not have a signature from the shop that created it at the base, and does not say that it is from Puebla, it is not authentic.

Where in town can I get it?

Here are just a few locations in Tucson where you can purchase authentic Talavera products:

Rustica: Exquisite Mexican Folk art and Furniture

200 S. Park Ave. / Phone: (520) 623-4435

Dry Heat Trading Company

6544 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Suite 14o / Phone: (520) 733-2499

Zocalo

3016 E. Broadway Blvd. / (520) 320-1236