Talavera Ceramics Info

VIDEO: Hand Painting Classic Talavera Pottery

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Shutterstile Introduces Innovative Design for Exterior Shutters

30 Apr 2008
PRESS RELEASE

April 2008

Shutterstile LLC has introduced a new concept in exterior shutters that combines the flexibility of interchangeable panels with the unlimited colors and patterns found in decorative tiles. Add a splash of color for the summer with bold Talavera tiles. Proudly display an American flag pattern for Independence Day. Then opt for a more subtle palette for the Autumn. Changing the style of your home is as easy as popping out the tile panels and replacing them with a different color or design.

Exterior shutters are no longer limited to a few tired design choices. Shutterstile shutters are available in western red cedar or PVC frames with interchangeable panels of porcelain, glass, Talavera, stone, cork, or just about any other exterior tile.

The idea is the brainchild of Elizabeth Donley of Montross, Virginia. During the process of renovating her home, Elizabeth drove around the area for inspiration. One of the first things she noticed was the shutters. From historic homes with operable wooden shutters, to newly-constructed doublewides with vinyl imitations of the hand-crafted originals — the shutters were the most dramatic architectural element … and the shutters all looked alike. Elizabeth knew there must be a better way.

Everyone she talked to loved the concept. But not everyone was convinced it was possible to incorporate tiles into an exterior shutter. To find out, Elizabeth spent hundreds of hours online and on the phone with tile, grout, and adhesives manufacturers. Meanwhile, her husband, John, got to work on a design that would allow the tiles to be replaced without removing the shutter from the wall.

Eventually, they found just the right combination of design and materials to make it happen. They filed two patent applications and began making prototypes. After a few minor improvements to the design, Shutterstile LLC was born.

Elizabeth explained: “our Web site includes an online shutter builder that lets you explore more than 10,000 combinations, with more to come. And, these are just a few of the unlimited design choices. If you can imagine it, we can probably build it for you. And the best part is that you can easily change the panels to match the seasons or your mood.”

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Mexican Kitchen Decor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 30, 2010 –
Mexican Kitchen Decor

When it comes to Mexican kitchen decorating ideas, you will find that there are a lot of options. We will look at each design element one by one. Mexican kitchen colors are all about vibrant and bright colors. To instill the unique atmosphere you need to choose deep colors like cobalt blue and terracotta orange on the walls of the kitchen. You can also use different painting techniques like sponging and stippling to create a special effect on the walls of the kitchen. If you are not too keen to experiment and like to steer clear of dark colors, muted shades of ivory and blue also makes a very elegant look. There is nothing to beat the appeal of a hand painted mural or a vintage Mexican painting to create the atmosphere of a rustic Mexican kitchen.

The flooring of your kitchen is an important factor if you want to create the feel of a Mexican kitchen. If you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen completely, then you can opt for a new floor in hardwood or by laying new kitchen tiles. If your budget permits, you can install terracotta tiles for the most authentic look for Mexican kitchen decor. Another great idea is to install ceramic tiles in strong colors for rustic appeal. If you want to go the whole hog, then nothing can beat the look of the classic talavera tile, that is manufactured in the state of Puebla in Mexico. These richly painted tiles can not only be used as floor tiles, but also look stunning when used in countertops and backplashes. More on kitchen backsplash ideas and kitchen remodeling.

Kitchen countertops can be in polished black granite to truly echo the vibe of a authentic Mexican kitchen. A black granite kitchen countertop is the perfect foil for the bright colored walls and looks visually appealing. Try putting some accents of Mexican kitchen decorations by using talavera pots, pans and vases.

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Video: Mexican Tiles – The Manufacturing Process of Hand Painted Tiles From Mexico

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New Talavera Tile Can Be Installed in Any Climate, Including Pools

Livermore, CA (PressExposure) April 12, 2008 — Latin Accents, Inc., a nation-wide importer and distributor of high-end artisan tiles from Mexico, introduces a hand-painted tile on an all-weather European porcelain body. This new twist to the traditional Talavera tile makes it more durable against harsh weather elements and gives it the ability to maintain its beauty and vibrant colors even when exposed to the harsh chemicals in pool water.

In the past, high-fired clay and porcelain bodies have been appropriate mostly for interior applications, such as kitchen backsplashes, kitchen countertops, small floor accents, fireplaces, bathroom backsplashes, showers and bathtub walls. While high-fired clay can be used exteriorly in mild climates, this new porcelain product can be used outdoors for exterior accents, retainer walls, outdoor kitchens and grills, fountains, spas and pools.

The development of this new kind of swimming pool tile gives home and business owners the opportunity to incorporate the rich history and vibrant colors of Talavera tile into an area that was previously too harsh for these unique, high-fired clay pieces. The introduction of this variation on the Talavera tile creates a new niche in the industry, and Latin Accents believes that decorators and designers will appreciate the expanded use of this popular tile.

About Latin Accents

Latin Accents, Inc. imports a wide variety of high-fired traditional clay body Talavera tile in over 50 decorative designs. It offers these designs in 6, 4, or 2 inches. In addition, the company has developed a reputation for high-quality listelos, field and molded tile, house numbers, sinks and murals. The company’s most popular 30 designs have been created on 6 and 4 inch porcelain bodies. All of Latin Accents’ tiles are tested in the laboratory in order to determine their appropriateness for outdoor and pool installations. The development of the all-weather Talavera swimming pool tile reflects the company’s dedication to creating new products that fill a void in the industry. Visit our website at http://www.latin-accents.com/

Press Release Source: http://PressExposure.com/PR/Latin_Accents.html

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Museum Exhibitions

In the early 20th century, interest developed in collecting the work. In 1904, an American by the name of Emily Johnston de Forrest discovered Talavera on a trip to Mexico. She became interested in collecting the works, so she consulted scholars, local collectors and dealers. Eventually, her collection became the base of what is currently exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Her enthusiasm was passed onto Edwin Atlee Barber, the curator of the Pennsylvania Museum of Art. He, too, spent time in Mexico and introduced Talavera into the Pennsylvania museum’s collection. He studied the major stylistic periods and how to distinguish the best examples, publishing a guide in 1908 which is still considered authoritative.

During this time period, important museum collections were being assembled in Mexico as well. One of the earliest and most important was the collection of Francisco Perez Salazer in Mexico City. A bit later, in the 1920s, Franz Mayer, a German-born stockbroker, started his collection. In Puebla, he was considered a bit crazy for buying all of the “old stuff” from the locals. In 1986, the Franz Mayer Museum opened in Mexico City with the largest collection of Talavera Poblana in the world – 726 pieces from the 17th through the 19th century, and some 20th century pieces by Enrique Luis Ventosa. In Puebla, José Luis Bello y González and his son José Mariano Bello y Acedo sought the advice of Ventosa in starting their collection. They amassed the largest and most important collection in the city which now is housed in the José Luis Bello y González Museum (Bello Museum).

More recently, the Museo de la Talavera (Talavera Museum) has been established in the city of Puebla, with an initial collection of 400 pieces. The museum is dedicated to recounting the origins, history, expansions and variations in the craft. Pieces include some of the simplest and most complex, as well as those representing different eras.

Several temporary and travelling exhibits of certain themes have been created from these permanent collections. One of these was called “El Aguila en la Historia de Mexico” (The Eagle in the History of Mexico). The forty-two-piece exhibit was sponsored by the Senate of Mexico to show how the eagle symbol has been used in the country throughout its history. This exhibit was sponsored in honor of the Bicentennial of Independence in 2010. These ceramics were chosen because of their combination of art and utility. Eagles depicted include that of Mexico’s coat of arms, as well as those of political figures such as José María Morelos y Pavón and Porfirio Díaz, and those used by institutions such as the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico and the Mexican Senate itself.

Another exhibit in Mexico centered on the creation of maps using Talavera tile. Most tiles during the colonial period were decorated with flowers and landscapes but a significant number were painted to create murals with maps. Those that survive show how a number of cities developed over the colonial period. Eight of the most representative 16th century Talavera tile maps were at the El Carmen Museum at an exhibit called “Cartografia: Una Vision en Talavera del Mexico Colonial” (Cartography: A Talavera Vision of Colonial Mexico). This exhibit was of reproductions of the originals created by the Talavera de la Luz workshop in Puebla. The chosen maps show the development of Mexico City as well as representations of the Acapulco, Puebla and the Tesuco regions during this time period.

Exhibits have been held outside of Mexico as well. The Museum of the Americas in Spain held an exhibit called “Talaveras de Puebla, Cerámica colonial Mexicana. Siglos XVII a XXI” (Talavera Pottery of Puebla, Mexican colonial ceramics, XVII to XXI centuries). This was a temporary exhibit of 49 pieces, combined with pieces from Spain and China as references. The pieces were loaned by the Franz Mayer Museum and the Bello Museum.

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Talavera in Puebla and the rest of Mexico

Talavera ceramic is mostly used to make utilitarian items such as plates, bowls, jars, flowerpots, sinks, religious items and decorative figures. However, a significant use of the ceramic is for tiles, which are used to decorate both the inside and outside of buildings in Mexico, especially in the city of Puebla. The Puebla kitchen is one of the traditional environments of Talavera pottery, from the tiles that decorate the walls and counters to the dishes and other food containers.

It is a very distinct style of kitchen. In monastery kitchens of the area, many of the designs also incorporate the emblem of the religious order. Many of the facades in the historic center of Puebla are decorated with these tiles. These tiles are called azulejos and can be found on fountains, patios, the facades of homes, churches and other buildings, forming an important part of Puebla’s Baroque architecture. This use of azulejos attested to the family’s or church’s wealth. This led to a saying “to never be able to build a house with tiles”, which meant to not amount to anything in life. Being able to show this kind of wealth was not restricted to Puebla. In Mexico City, the church of the Convent of La Encarnacion and the church of the Virgin of Valvanera both feature cupolas covered in Talavera.

The most famous example of Talavera in the capital city is the Casa de los Azulejos, or House of Tiles, which is an 18th century palace built by the Count del Valle de Orizaba family. What makes this palace, in the City of Palaces, distinct is that its facade on three sides is completely covered in expensive, blue-and-white tile – sensational at the time the tiles were applied.

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Production of Talavera Pottery

The process to create Talavera pottery is elaborate and it has basically not changed since the early colonial period when the craft was first introduced. The first step is to mix black sand from Amozoc and white sand from Tecali. It is then washed and filtered to keep only the finest particles. This can reduce the volume by fifty percent. Next the piece is shaped by hand on a potter’s wheel, then left to dry for a number of days. Then comes the first firing, done at 850 °C (1,560 °F). The piece is tested to see if there are any cracks in it. The initial glazing, which creates the milky-white background, is applied. After this, the design is hand painted. Finally, a second firing is applied to harden the glaze. This process takes about three months for most pieces, but some pieces can take up to six months.

This process is so complicated and plagued with the possibility of irreparable damage that during colonial times, artisans prayed special prayers, especially during the firing process.

Some workshops in Puebla offer guided tours and explain the processes involved. The oldest certified, continuously operating workshop is in Uriarte. It was founded in 1824 by Dimas Uriarte, and specialized in traditional colonial-era designs. Another certified workshop, Talavera de la Reina, is known for revitalizing the decoration of the ceramics with the work of 1990s Mexican artists.

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Galleria Elegante – The Leading Source For Traditional And Modern Talavera Pottery

Galleria Elegante is a leading producer of traditional and modern Talavera pottery, offering an extensive line of products in a classic style that has been avidly sought after for thousands of years and across numerous cultures and continents.

The origins of Talavera pottery stretch back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt where a long and storied tradition brought the art form from the Chinese to the Spanish and eventually to the Mexican city of Puebla, the recognized home of Talavera pottery today. Talavera pottery is made through an unique process that utilizes a combination of two types of clay before the craftsperson glazes each piece with vibrant colors and then decorates the nearly completed work by hand to create a stunning end result. Galleria Elegante is able to offer certified Talavera pottery from the best known “certified fabrica”, Uriarte Talavera and is proud to continue the long tradition of Talavera pottery through a number of excellent and authentic Talavera pieces.

There is a wide array of Mexican Talavera pottery available for purchase from Galleria Elegante, including a number of different urns, vases, jars and more. Perhaps the most popular of all Talavera designs are the number of exquisitely crafted plates, platters, canisters and other, assorted serving pieces made available by Galleria Elegante. These pieces are available in a number of different designs including Traditional, Colonial, Puebla and Certified Classic Talavera. There are a number of other gorgeous styles available for those in need of decorative pieces and a myriad of exceptionally designed vases, bottles and urns are available from Galleria Elegante in Mata Ortiz and Mexican Talavera pottery styles.

For Mexican Talavera designs for the rest of the home, Galleria Elegante holds an enormous variety of selection in sink, tile and decorative designs. Stunning pieces are available for order by square foot, making home renovation or redesign in the Mexican Talavera pottery style a simple and affordable choice.

Custom Talavera pottery designs are also available from Galleria Elegante for real connoisseurs of the craft that appreciate a truly special and unique aesthetic. Along with selections in the style of Mata Ortiz pottery, these custom Mexican Talavera pottery designs represent a great way to ensure a remarkable, eye-catching aesthetic in any part of the home. Specialty items are made available at Galleria Elegante as well, these Talavera pottery designs ranging from multi-piece serving sets to jewelry cases, bowls and miniature chimineas.

Special prices are available for trade workers in need of large supplies of Talavera pottery, tiling or decorative items making Galleria Elegance a great choice for any type of buyer, private or professional alike. Shopping online with Galleria Elegance promises discounts on most items as well as an easy method of finding exactly the Talavera pottery style desired through function and design sorting options. Secure payments can be made with PayPal or a number of major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

As the tradition of Mexican Talavera pottery continues to the present day, Galleria Elegance represents the best choice for the shopper in search of the Talavera pottery style’s timeless beauty.

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How To Decorate Your Kitchen With A Mexican Theme

When you think of a Mexican kitchen you think of the typical Adobe style home. The bright colors, lots of tile and clay and simple design is what comes to mind.

Bright colored tile in Mexican-style motifs are a great way to start decorating your Mexican-style kitchen. You can use talavera tile on the counter and also as a colorful backsplash behind the sink and stove. To complete the look, think about putting some of the colorful tiles in key spots on an earthy talavera tile floor. This will add color as well as interest.

Talavera ceramics look great and also add an authentic feeling of Mexico to the kitchen. You can decorate with Talavera candle holders, pots, vases and even sinks.

You can find many Mexican style talavera accents for your kitchen right in your local home decorating store or if the exact pieces you want are not available there, try shopping online. If you want something handmade try finding some local. If you are looking for a bargain, shop the local consignment stores, flea markets and even eBay. Talavera tiles are usually one-of-a-kind items that add interest and make your kitchen unique.

Add Mexican flair to your counter tops with few wooden spoons in a Talavera ceramic pot. Ceramic and Wooden vessels such as bowls, planters, serving utensils and dishes add to the theme.

When shopping for your kitchen furniture buy rustic looking Mexican furniture too add authenticity to your Mexican kitchen. Handmade wood bar stools, tables and chairs that have hand-carved decorations will add interest and look great. Looks for woods such as wormwood, pine and mesquite.

Another thing you can use to accessorize your Mexican kitchen is hammered copper. Installing A hammered copper sink can look beautiful and will enhance the natural look of your kitchen. A benefit of a copper sink that many do not know about is that bacteria cannot survive on copper surfaces. Use other hammered copper items around your kitchen to give it a warm look. A hammered copper hood placed above your stove looks great and is part of typical Mexican décor.

Some other things you can decorate your Mexican kitchen with are hand-woven baskets, clusters of chili peppers hanging down from hooks, and open cupboards with colorful Mexican plates and cups within easy reach.

Finally, check your local pottery shops for stoneware and handcrafted design elements that have a touch of Mexico. Visit a nearby flea market and dig for vintage Mexican style accessories that will add to the feel of Old Mexico in your kitchen. Kitschy Aztec statues, Mexican souvenirs and bright pottery can add interest and help tie the decor together.

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