The art of creating Mexican Talavera Pottery has descended from its early origins thought to be Mesopotamia and Egypt.  Early traders introduced the craft to China where it was to become very popular.  It was introduced to Spain by the Thirteenth Century where it was influenced by Moorish domination and became known as Maiolica or more popularly Majolica.

Several theories exist as to its origin in Mexico and the most accepted remains that Spanish monks from Puebla sent for craftsmen from Talavera de la Reina to introduce the craft to the people of the region so they could locally create pieces like those produced in Spain.  The monks wanted to use clay sculptures and colorful ceramic tiles to decorate their churches and monasteries.  The city of Puebla was established in 1531 and soon became the center for the creation of Talavera china due to the abundance of quality clay and the growth of popularity in the arts at that time.  The indigenous people of Mexico were very accomplished potters and already had a long tradition producing to earthenware. However, they did not know how to use the potter’s wheel nor how to tin glaze their pottery, which are main characteristics of the Majolica pottery. The pieces produced in Puebla were of such quality and beauty that soon it was in demand all over the continent.

The creation process for Talavera involves the blending of two types of clay which are soaked in water to improve the consistency and malleability.  When ready, the water is drained off the clay blend and it is filtered to remove all impurities.  The clay is worked until all air bubbles have been removed and the consistency is correct. 

The potters then produce a variety of pieces on the potter’s wheel or in molds which are then left to dry for eight to twelve weeks.  The dried clay pieces are then baked in an oven at over 800C.  The fabrication process then continues by carefully dipping each piece in a glaze which results in the rich foundation color.  Then each piece is hand decorated using colors derived from processing various mineral pigments.  The hand decorated pieces are fired a final time for many hours at over 1000C, resulting in the completed beautiful work of art.

The city of Puebla is the birthplace of “authentic” Mexican Talavera and it was in Puebla that the first potter’s guilds were formed to create standards and regulation for the production of Talavera.  These standards are designed to ensure uniform quality and Talavera’s style and excellence.  Today, the Consejo Regulador de Talaveras certifies those “fabricas” that meet all such standards and regulations.  At this time, there are only fourteen “certified fabricas” in Mexico.  Each fabrica achieving “certification” places their name and registry numbers on each piece they produce. 

Here, at Galleria Elegante , we are pleased to offer “certified” Talavera products from the best known “certified fabrica”, Uriarte Talavera, founded by Sr. Don Dimas Uriarte in 1824.  The Uriarte fabrica produces the finest Talavera available from Mexico today.  Additionally, we are proud to offer high quality Talavera from several respected fabricas from Puebla and Dolores Hidalgo.  We are especially proud of the fine products that we offer from the Puebla fabrica Disensos Alonso Luis Talavera, from Artesans Amora Talavera in the traditional style, and the newest fabrica Armando Talavera.  Armando Talavera is producing fine quality pieces made in the classic Puebla style, as well as offering modern style Talavera made in many regions of the country.

Today, Mexican Talavera pieces may be found in numerous galleries, museums, and private collections around the world including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Basilica in Vatican City.