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What is Talavera

Talavera is a very high-quality Earthenware / Pottery Art...easily recognized by the strong, intense colours and patterns in the decorative designs.  All paint and glaze used in the Talavera that we import is lead-free and therefore can easily be used as household dinnerware.  Furthermore, our Talavera is microwave, oven, and diswasher friendly - however - dislikes being dropped on a hard floor or surface!

History

In the 15th Century, Tile Makers from the Spanish pottery center, Talavera De La Reina, introduced this highly decorative earthenware art when they settled in the heart of Mexico.  Although first introduced into Mexico from Spain, centuries of influence from diverse artistic styles and cultural centers have transformed Mexican Talavera into what it is today.

- the Cobalt blue patterns on white first appeared in Mexico in the late 15th Century and were direct influences of Moor and Visigoth people living in Spain.
- The Oriental influence can be seen in the use of people with Oriental features, animals, and floral designs - these features were first seen in Mexico around the mid-16th Century.

Talavera can be found throughout Mexico but the highest Quality and most Unique is from South-Central Mexico in Puebla - this is where it originated and still continues to be produced today!

	- Local clay is soaked for several days in a tub of water in order to soften the clay and break the large clumps and particles. - A sieve is used to strain the soaked clay and break into fine, uniform particles that will give the earthenware a smoother finish. - The clay is left in plastic vats to decant for up to a week - separating the clay from the water - the water is eventually poured off leaving a vat of moist clay.
	- A worker molds the moise clay using his hands and sometimes a time-worn "potter's wheel". - A damp sponge is gently rubbed on the surface to bring a smooth finish to the clay. - The polished clay is set in the sun to dry for a week for small items - and up to 3 weeks for larger items like the big Urns we import! - Large items are sometimes covered to control the drying process.  A slower dry will minimize the stress on the Talavera in the drying process and will result in a stronger and more uniform finish.  Key to achieving the fine Talavera finish when the clay is baked!
	- Once thoroughly dry, the moulded clay is baked for 7-8 hours at 2000 degrees Fareinheight (1100 degrees Celsius) in a handmade brick oven.
	- The fire-red baked clay that emerges from the oven is dipped for 2-3 seconds in a lead-free white glaze and left to dry for up to several days!
	- A well-trained and skilled Mexican Artisan brings life to each Talavera piece by carefully handpainting an original design. - This patters design can take several hours to several days depending on the size of the item and the complexity of the pattern. - Once the Artisan is satisfied with the hand-painted Talavera pattern, the item is left to dry again.  The drying time is not as long as the glaze quickly absorbs the paint and the moisture.
	- A final firing in the oven transforms the glze and the paint into a hard, brightly covered surface resulting the Finest Quality Talavera available today. Talavera....Yours to Enjoy!!