oldvallarta.com
One of the things I like about Mexico is its copious use of beautiful tile, often handmade.
The Talavera tiles from the city of Puebla, which are distinguished by their milky-white glaze, are justifiably famous around the world — and like champagne from France, tile can only be called Talavera if it’s from Puebla.
But several years ago a Puerto Vallarta tile merchant had a problem with his Puebla suppliers being unable to get enough tile to fill his orders — so he spent much time and work recreating “Talavera” pottery closer to home.
Now, in his Vallarta store, you can find a great selection of the most gorgeous, high-quality tiles and other ceramics — including Talavera-style — in the quantities you need.
Click here to get more information on talavera pottery.
Click here to get more information on talavera pottery mexico.
Click here to get more information on talavera tile.
Click here to get more information on talavera tile mexico. Mundo del Azulejos (Tile World) has been, for 20 years, the family enterprise of Señor Benigno Ibarra Castañeda. He has trained a new generation in the ancient Talavera processes, from the makers of the blank tiles (in the Valle Nayarit) to the glazers and artisans who decorate them (in Puerto Vallarta).
In addition to tiles, you’ll find Talavera-style sinks, serving platters, dishes, wall murals, house numbers, and more. You can shop online but prices are confusing, variously in pesos and dollars.
Why not visit Sr. Castañeda’s store in person at Venustiano Carranza 374, Col. Emiliano Zapata? If you’re like me, you’ll want to take with you only as much money as you can afford to spend, because everything’s way too attractive….
virtualvallarta.com
As you discover Puerto Vallarta, it is difficult to miss the ubiquitous oval-shaped ceramic door signs outside many of its buildings, or the square hand-painted tiles that adorn their different rooms, or the ornate plant holders, picture frames, plates, mugs and even bathroom sinks available for sale in many of our gift shops. In fact, this type of ceramic, known as Talavera, is the oldest of its type in America and is still manufactured today using essentially the same techniques as when it originally arrived from Spain.
A Long Time Ago… Many Spaniards settled in Mexico after conquering the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan in 1521, marking the beginning of the colonial period, which lasted until 1810. Among them, a group of Dominican preachers from Talavera de la Reina, a city in the western part of the province of Toledo, Spain, took it upon themselves to share religious teachings with Mexican natives in the city of Puebla.
Even at that time and to this date, Talavera de la Reina was well known throughout Europe for its fine ceramic work. Accidents do happen, however, and soon the dishes the Dominicans carefully packed and traveled to the new world with began to chip and even break. Confronted with a dilemma, they had to choose between importing more dishes from Spain, a costly and time-consuming affair, and training their local followers to create their own. They chose the latter. Soon enough, people became interested in purchasing the at-the-time nameless brand of ceramics, which became known as Talavera, and one of Puebla’s two most enduring traditions, mole poblano the other. Furthermore, this became a most profitable way for the Dominicans to fund the construction of new churches and monasteries.
Today, Talavera earthenware is better known as such in Mexico than in its city of origin. And while it continues to be at the zenith of its manufacture, Puerto Vallarta has positioned itself as an important source of this treasured staple of Mexican craft.
Talavera is produced locally at Mundo de Azulejos, a small, unassuming factory / showroom located in South Side. In the beginning, founder Benigno “Benny” Ibarra imported Talavera from Puebla, but due to inconsistent manufacturers and increasingly unpredictable delivery schedules he had to make similar decisions to those of the Dominican preachers, eventually opting to produce locally using regional materials. It took Ibarra over three years of trial and error to harness the local clay to produce his own ceramic pieces and the minerals required to paint them in a much more humid climate than Puebla’s. And while many manufacturers today rely on machinery to produce carbon copies of each piece, Ibarra chose to stick to the tradition of producing and painting his by hand, infusing them with uniqueness and originality.
the process A visit to Mundo de Azulejos is a study in contrast. The street level and second-story showrooms are replete with a colorful variety of tiles, planters, bathroom fixtures, kitchen murals and tableware. Meanwhile, the factory occupies the third and fourth stories, with a nonstop whirlwind of artisans meticulously hand-painting the myriad pieces. These are made with clay that is collected from the Valley of Nayarit, shaped in molds and allowed to dry naturally, a process that takes approximately eight to 10 days. Once dry, pieces are quite fragile and must be sanded and fired to prepare them for the decorative process. Thousands of such pieces are stored in the warehouse, waiting to be decorated.
Production manager Eduardo Castro supervises a crew of artisans, many of whom were hired with pre-existing talent but further trained specifically to work with clay. Each of these artisans sits at a production station, surrounded by various mineral-based paints and brushes. Pieces are first coated with white enamel and then painted individually, always by hand, sometimes aided by plastic stencils. On average, it takes each artisan between 10 and 30 minutes to paint an individual tile. The colors used are deceptively soft, pastel-like. The pieces come to life with strikingly rich colors as if by magic, however, when they are fired for five hours at a temperature of 1100° Celsius (2012° Fahrenheit) in any of Mundo de Azulejos’ six enormous gas kilns.
“This is no small potatoes,” comments Castro, who’s been with the company for 12 years. “We only fire the kilns once a day. It takes approximately 30 minutes for them to come to the proper temperature. Once we close them, there is no turning back.” With an average monthly gas bill of $2,000 USD, there is little margin for error; nevertheless, this enthusiastic crew is able to produce a custom-inscribed wall plaque, a popular souvenir, in 24 – 48 hours.
Quality does not come cheap. Since traditional Talavera must be painted by hand, manufacture and labor costs can make it slightly more expensive than other types of pottery. Regardless, people from all over the world, from Hollywood personalities to Arabian royalty, have chosen to decorate their homes with Talavera produced here in Puerto Vallarta.
By Paco Ojeda
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lafuente.com
The world of interior design knows Talavera pottery as an ornate style of ceramics produced solely in Mexico by proud local artisans. These vibrantly colored, handcrafted works of art have been fashioned in the same way for centuries and appreciated for their quality and aesthetics for just as long. So what is it about Mexican Talavera that makes it so special?
As you can imagine, Mexican Talavera has a long and rich history. Named after the Spanish village of Talavera de la Reina, this renowned ceramic art boasts a melting pot of multiculturalism. The Spanish contribution dates back to the invasion of the Moors, who brought their knowledge of ceramics from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, and which was later refined by a combination of the Italian Renaissance and artisans from the Orient. Later, Spanish colonists brought their highly refined ceramic skills to Mexico, where they were once again blended with the unique pottery styles of Aztec, Mayan and other indigenous cultures.
It’s not just the history of Mexican Talavera that makes it so desirable. Excellent craftsmanship is a common trademark of Talavera pottery. The process begins by blending together two different clays, then soaking them thoroughly in water to improve pliability. When it’s determined that the clay is ready, having been removed of impurities, it’s then formed into the desired shape by hand, molds or a potter’s wheel. Next, the newly constructed form is left to dry for up to three months. Once the artist has inspected and approved the dried clay, the piece then undergoes the first of two firings. The initial firing turns the clay into a reddish-orange color that is then brightly painted with intricate patterns – a trademark of Talavera ceramics. Afterwards, the pottery is submerged in a special tin-glaze, then fired once more. The final product – what was once an ordinary mound of clay – is now a beautiful work of Talavera art.
Talavera pottery is known for brilliant colors set against a pristine white background. Typically, the vivid patterns are slightly raised, and the entire piece is smoothed over by a glossy sheen. Yellow, green and mauve were traditionally the most prolific colors used to decorate Talavera, although cobalt blue was the most desired. Due to the expensive mineral pigments required for its use, this regal color became a way to identify the finest quality of Talavera ceramics.
Today, Talavera patterns can be simple and bold or elaborate and highly detailed. Floral patterns are perhaps the most common, but when it comes to Mexican Talavera, creativity is limitless. Although some patterns might appear similar, hand-painted Talavera is never identical. This should be no cause for concern, however, as color and pattern themes almost always exist, and the individual character of each piece will only enhance your Talavera collection or home décor. This is especially true if you consider decorating your home with Talavera tile.
One of the most predominant characteristics of colonial Mexican cities, in particular the city of Puebla located in central Mexico, is the beautiful Talavera tiles. In the 17th and 18th centuries, as the production of Talavera pottery continued to grow, striking tile and tile murals began to adorn Mexican churches, buildings, stairways, gardens and homes. These architectural examples splashed color in an otherwise dull stretch of concrete and brought kitchens and bathrooms to life in a way that only Talavera tile could deliver. Now, more than ever, this style continues to be embraced as authentically Mexican.
When it comes to Mexican and southwestern home décor, Talavera pottery and Talavera tile can be an essential part of capturing an authentic design motif. At La Fuente Imports we strive to offer the most outstanding and diverse selection of handcrafted Talavera tiles found anywhere on the web. Also, be sure to browse our exceptional Talavera plates and platters, plus everything else for decorating your home including Talavera vases, canisters, planters and more!
by Barrett Browning, Demand Media, homeguide.sfgate.com
Overview Mexican-style houses celebrate light and sun-drenched color—whether in the Yucatan or near Point Lobo. Traditional Mexican decorations depend on local craftsmen for hand-carved furniture or ornate wooden corbels. Mexican colonial architecture is very versatile—modern furniture and accessories complement whitewashed walls and bold swaths of bright color just as well as hacienda-inspired reproductions. Contemporary Mexican architects and designers add surprising twists to tradition, blending metals together with wood and plaster.
History Colonists brought Mediterranean- and Moorish-influenced architecture with them from Spain. Churches dominated the colony’s town squares, or zocalos. Colonial style melded with building styles of the indigenous population, producing architecture tailored to the climate and using local building materials. Decoration was spare—even in wealthier homes. Mexican tastes were bold, elegant and dramatic.
Types Hacienda-style homes evoke a south-of-the-border plantation feel. Large, open and airy plaster-walled buildings often enclose large interior patios. Waxed saltillo tile floors and decorative Talavera tile walls are both decorative and functional. The tiles keep cool and clean easily with soap and water. Tropical-style Mexican decor features large open spaces and continuous air flow. Roofs made of thatched palm or bamboo looks informal and keeps a dwelling cool. Decorations made from local natural materials such as stone and shells work well in a tropical-style Mexican home. Wooden shutters keep heat out and keep windows uncluttered by fabric. Modern Mexican-style homes can be sophisticated interpretations of Mexican classic architecture and design. Luis Barragán (1902–1988) was one of Mexico’s best-known architects. He created clean sleek designs that managed to avoid the clinical cold feel that sometimes plagues other modern architecture. He used plaster walls with wooden beams and natural tile or stone flooring. Bright pink, red or yellow hues on entire walls made bold statements and energized spaces.
Benefits Mexican-style houses provide shade with their deep inset windows and breezeways. Hanging plants on patios and porches further cool and clean the air while providing color and privacy. Natural cowhide rugs look good in a Mexican-style home, and iron and leather furniture adds rustic unstudied elegance. Thick walls keep dwellings cool in hot weather. Clean, unbroken expanses of white plaster walls seem to make a home feel cooler too. A Mexican-style home is not dark. It welcomes light while cleverly accommodating heat and sun.
Size Mexican-style homes range from tiny one-bedroom casitas to large estates. The aesthetic translates perfectly across socioeconomic borders—local artisans create simple and colorful pieces that fit in a humble dwelling as well as they do in a grand space.
Considerations For all their apparent simplicity, Mexican-style architecture and decoration are not cheap. The style’s success relies on excellent finish and materials as well as skilled labor.
by Eugenia Orr, Demand Media, homeguide.sfgate.com
Overview Southwest interior design is a style that is warm and welcoming. It is an infusion of Native American and Spanish styles, denoted with warm colors, distressed woods and ornate metal scroll work. Pastels need not apply in a Southwest room; instead, think of sunshine when deciding on wall color, furniture and decorative accessories. Not truly contemporary, but yet not fully traditional, Southwest interior design is a mix of the old, highlighted by color, and a backdrop for handcrafted pottery and decorative tin.
The Use of Color Southwestern interior design is distinguished by its bold use of color throughout the design. Color is not just an accent, but fundamental in creating a warm and vibrant room. Orange, red, gold and blue are prominent on walls, in accessories and in hand-crafted tile work, tapestries and upholstery. In Southwestern design, furniture is often painted and then distressed to give character. Distressing is a way of making furniture look old by lightly sanding a painted surface to make the old finish show through, using chains and small hammers to create dents on the surface and applying a paint finishing product that crackles the paint to reveal the wood beneath.
Wood is Prominent Wood is seen throughout Southwestern design-inspired rooms. The wood used is honey-colored or other brown finish as a nod to nature. The furniture is usually constructed with thick legs, making the furniture appear chunky and substantial in the room. For extra added interest, it is common to find painted furniture in Southwest-inspired rooms, and not only white or cream. Red, lime green and cobalt blue tables and armoires are conversation starters and create visual interest.
Metal Details Wrought iron and other metals are used in Southwest design as decorative elements and accessories. Find metalwork in shelf brackets, in crown details on cabinets and furniture, and in wall art. Make hand-crafted, hand-painted pottery more noticeable by placing it on a wrought iron stand in a corner.
Pottery Hand-crafted pottery is a key detail in Southwest interior design. The most commonly used pottery is terracotta, a porcelain material that easy manipulated by hand. Terracotta is mostly found in a rust-orange color mimicking the sunset. Whether left in its natural state or hand painted to introduce a design and additional colors, pottery is an integral element in Southwest design.
Tile The most well-known element of Southwestern design is the intricate, hand-crafted Mexican tiles used for backsplashes, on floors and on tabletops. Mexican tile is infused with bright colors and intricate designs. If you are planning on incorporating Mexican tiles in your room, look for hand-crafted tiles instead of machine crafted ones. With hand-crafted tiles, no two are alike, adding additional visual interest.
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http://as.americas-society.org
September 1999
This catalogue is based on a historic study of the ceramic tradition in Puebla, Mexico with a summary of contemporary ceramic practices. It includes essays by Margaret Connors McOuade and Jaime Contreras Castro as well as an exhibition checklist.
1999 112 pp. bilingual, color illustration, and bibliography
clayimports.com
Clay Imports Artesanal, a subsidiary of Consorcio Artesanal, LLC, located in Austin, Texas and Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico, created an original Talavera mural to commemorate the opening of the museum’s current exhibit titled “Promises of Independence and Revolution: Artists Interpreting Mexico”. The Exhibition can be viewed through November 21st at the Mexic-Arte Museum, located at 419 Congress Ave. in Austin, Texas. Contact the museum at 512.480.9373, for viewing hours or visit their website at www.mexic-artemuseum.org The Talavera tile mural is an interpretation of an original manuscript provided by the museum’s director Ms. Sylvia Orozco, which chronicles the life of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the father of Mexico’s struggle for independence from Spain. The mural is comprised of thirty-six pieces of six-inch Talavera tile. Each tile represents a milestone of Father Hidalgo’s life, beginning with his birth on May 8, 1753; teaching his parishioners how to make Talavera tile and other crafts to raise money to pay the oppressive taxes allowing them to hold on to their possessions; his Grito de Independencia on September 15, 1810, in Dolores, GTO; the beheading of Father Hidalgo as punishment for leading the rebellion and his final internment at the base of the historic Angel de Independencia in Mexico City. The exhibition opened on September 25th and also featured art from private collections and original pieces including Pipilia, created by sculptor Jose Acosta, Eduardo Garcia’s audio/video production and Fidencio Duran’s representational pieces. The Talavera mural was made by “nuestros artesanos” at our Talavera production facility in the historic town of Dolores Hidalgo, GTO, Mexico, under the supervision of Clay Imports Artesanal’s master artisan, Mr. Hugo Olguin; and will become part of the museum’s permanent collection. # # #
Montross, VA (PRWEB) April 30, 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.
Before
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. Inspiration came while remodeling her kitchen in a Mexican motif. If Mexican tiles can make a dramatic design statement in the kitchen or the patio, why not incorporate Mexican tiles into a shutter design? In fact, why stop at Mexican tiles? Tiles offer a wider range of design options than any other decorative medium. And wouldn’t it be great if you could change out the tile for a different design without replacing the shutters?
After
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.”
The decorative tiles we stock measure 10.5cm x 10.5cm (there are 90 in a square meter). They cost 70p each or £63 per sq.m. They have a different look and feel to the usual machine manufactured tiles. They are suitable for bathrooms and kitchen walls. Whilst similar to Moroccan, Spanish and French handmade tiles they offer the same quality at more affordable prices. These tiles are inspired from the traditional Talavera tiles from Puebla. The pattern is made using a stencil. Mexican white is the background colour and a green, blue or terracotta glaze forms the pattern in the foreground. Some of the designs have not changed since the 1600. The tiles are available in the following designs: Lyon, Arbour, Ville, Daisy May, Damask, Herendira, violets, Isobel, Anita, Bouquet, Paloma, Beatriz, Guadalajarra, Lace, Madrid and Rocio. They are available in a number of different colour combinations blue, terracotta and green.
Tiles were first used and made for architectural decoration in Egypt in 400 BC. The Mesopotamian cultures of today’s Iraq had little stone and an abundance of clay. The tiles were used for writing tablet and architectural decoration. The technology was passed to the Persians who in turn passed it to the Arabs. The Arabs brought the technology for creating hand made tiles to Spain. From there is spread through Europe and onto the New World. Although the pre-Hispanic people created objects from clay they did not have tile-making technology. The Dominican Friars eager to tile their monasteries in Mexico invited Spanish potters to come to the country. Already familiar with clay the indigenous Mexicans were taught by the monks how to make tiles.
Three centres for tile making were established Puebla, Mexico City and Dolores Hidalgo
The tiles designs evolved from three distinctive styles. The Arab or Moorish style, the Spanish style and the Chinese style. The Arab style favoured geometric motifs on a milky background with a blue foreground. The Spanish style features bright colours with human figures and animals. The Chinese influence came from two different sources. The first influence was the European interpretation of Chinese style. The second source was the porcelain imported from Manila to Acapulco. There was an enormous appreciation of the Chinese aesthetic sensibility. It was firstly imitated and then interpreted by the tile makers. The Chinese style used the motifs of birds, animals, foliage, ferns, flowers and the outline of clouds. The blue and white colour scheme was borrowed from the Yuan Dynasty. It is therefore possible on the face of the patterned tiles to see the cultural and historical influences of Mexico.
The Mexican handmade wall tiles are made in a family run workshop in Dolores Hidalgo. The whole process from digging the clay to firing and decorating the tiles is carried out by individual workshops. The handmade tiles are made using a mixture of three different types of clay and an ingredient that adds flexibility to the mixture. The clay is rolled out and cut by hand. They are then fired in a kiln. They are then glazed and fired again. Variation in colour and size is created by the position the tiles take in the kiln, the length of time they are in the kiln and the composition of clay. The different prices of glazed tile are reflective of the difficulty in achieving those colours. For example orange and red are harder to achieve than blues and greens.
pressexposure.com
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.
