The History of Talavera Pottery
For shoppers wondering whether that florescent clay donkey is a piece of art or a cheap souvenir, a dose of history about the pottery known as "Talavera Poblana" will provide an edge in purchasing Mexican ceramics.
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Definition
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Talavera is pottery made according to centuries-old specifications. Working only in Puebla, Mexico, using local clay, Talavera craftspeople must follow methods dating to the 16th century in order for their art to qualify as authentic.
Spanish Roots
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During the 1500s, Spanish colonizers arrived in what is now Puebla, Mexico. They brought artisans from Talavera de Reina, Spain, who had adopted a ceramic glazing technique using tin known as "Majolica." Tin in the glaze produced a characteristic creamy, white background that was easy to decorate. The craftsmen's hometown gave the pottery the name "Talavera."
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Mexican Contributions
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Indigenous artists embraced the Majolica techniques but added their own style, notably the "feathery" strokes that decorate the trim, and colors. Previous generations of potters used primarily cobalt blue and white.
Demand and Regulation
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As they adorned the many Spanish-style churches and buildings, Puebla's developers needed tiles and vessels worthy of display in "Nueva Espana." Talavera-style ceramics became such big business that in the mid-17th century, Puebla's viceroy established rules qualifying authentic Talavera.
Rise and Fall of Production
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The years between 1660 and 1770 were the heyday of Talavera. The art spread to other cities and countries. Mexico's battle for independence and cheaper, imported ceramics, however, interrupted Talavera's commercial growth and its regulation.
Collectors
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Thanks to collectors such as Franz Mayer and Emily de Forest, the market for Talavera boomed in the 20th century. This resurgence of demand led the Mexican Government to re-establish regulation in 1998. Since then, Talavera workshops must undergo lab tests and inspections in order for their work to bear the "Made in Puebla, Talavera" label.
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