History of Mexican Talavera Ceramics

Moors Contribution

During the 8th century, the Moors from North Africa conquered Spain. The Moors brought with them majolica pottery. Majolica is an art form known for its unique glazing process and exquisite design details. An important component of majolica is its glazing technique that contains tin as an ingredient. This technique for applying the glaze creates a creamy white background that is perfect for applying colorful designs. The designs and the use of mineral pigments originated from the Moors who conquered Spain and had a great influence on all artistic expressions in Spain.

Egyptian contribution

During the 8th century, the Arabs controlled Spain. The pottery-making process was first developed in ancient Egypt and later perfected by the Chinese. Ceramic production became very popular as a result of the Arab occupation of Spain. Muslim potters provided knowledge in the use of different materials and new techniques that radically changed ceramic production in Spain. As a result, his influence was widespread. After the expulsion of the Muslims in the 16th and 17th centuries, many potters continued to use the intricate designs and vibrant colors, such as copper green and manganese purple black, that were well known in Islamic pottery.

chinese contribution

At the end of the 16th century, Spain opened trade with China through Mexico. Following Chinese imports, Mexicans began to incorporate the designs found on Chinese porcelain. For example, the floral and feather filler motif in the blue and white Talavera exhibits Chinese influence. China contributed much of the motifs used today in the Mexican talavera. The blue and white color, the design of the panels, and even the barrel-shaped pottery were some of the Chinese influences that we still see today in modern Talavera pottery pieces.

Spanish and Mexican contributions

The indigenous peoples of Mexico, long familiar with making clay wares, had their own distinctive method of producing pottery, one that did not involve glazing or the use of a potter’s wheel. The indigenous peoples of Mexico had a long and rich history of ceramic production long before the arrival of the Spanish. However, with the arrival of the Spanish in the 1600s, new techniques such as the wheel, tin-based enamels and new styles were introduced. The combination of newly learned Spanish techniques and the techniques of the indigenous peoples of Mexico gave rise to a new form of pottery, the talavera. Name talavera is derived from the city of Talavera de La Reina, Spain. The Spanish from this city brought their ceramic craft to the New World and taught the art to the indigenous people of Mexico. Mexico was very proud of its new success in producing high-quality talavera. To prevent Talavera from losing its high-quality craftsmanship, the Potters’ Guild was formed in 1653. The Potters’ Guild established ordinances regulating the production of Talavera pottery. The Potters Guild was replaced by the Talavera Regulatory Council in 1993.

The Moors, Chinese, Egyptians, Spanish, and Mexicans must be credited with creating Mexican Talavera pottery. Since its creation, the Gremio de Alfareros and the Consejo Regulador de Talavera have worked hard to maintain high quality and authentic Talavera. Beautiful Mexican Talavera pottery pieces are a regulated, multicultural art form that expresses centuries of dedication and gratitude for their heritage. So the next time you think, “Mexican talavera pottery,” you’re actually thinking, “Arabic, Chinese, Egyptian, Spanish, and Mexican talavera pottery!”