talavera

Flowers blossom with an exuberant feast of colors on salad or dessert plates designed in the Talavera style of the state of Puebla. The motifs are painted by hand over the ivory-color ceramic plates with a palette that includes yellowish-orange, blue, and green flowers over a crisscross network of dots and crosses. Bordered by a black honeycomb, this pair of plates comes from the 'Zacatlán Flowers' collection designed by Pedro Tecayehuatl.

Talavera is a distinctive art form brought to Mexico by artisans from Talavera de la Reina, Spain. The ceramic artisans of Puebla, Mexico then incorporated Chinese designs, thus creating the blue and oyster-white patterns traditionally associated with Talavera Poblana. Today there are also more "contemporary" designs that include yellow, green, orange, mauve, black and red.

National and international conventions require that a rigorous procedure be followed in the elaboration of authentic Talavera-style ceramics. Each individual piece will be slightly different, and therefore a unique work of art.

Painted by hand with colourful glazes, festive motifs envelop a cookie jar by Gorky González. He works in the style of Mexico's colonial Majolica ceramics to create the design. The artisan signs his work "AT," for alfarería tradicional (traditional ceramics).

Ivan Martinez in Mexico works in the traditional style of Talavera ceramics to create this stunning pair of dessert plates. The square plates feature colourful floral motifs that are carefully painted by hand.

The Contreras Family in Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico, uses traditional Spanish majolica techniques to create beautiful Talavera-style tableware. This colorful pair of salad or dessert plates is crafted and painted by hand with exuberant floral motifs. The lead-free plates make a stunning table setting for any occasion.

Sunflowers are dazzling against the blue sky of El Salvador. Painted by hand, the beautiful motifs adorn a set of ceramic dessert plates. Priscilla Urias de Benedetti recreates the allure of New Spain's traditional Talavera pottery.

Succulent fruit exalts the rich harvest of a bountiful earth. Painted by hand, the sensuous motifs adorn a set of ceramic dessert plates. Priscilla Urias de Benedetti recreates the allure of New Spain's traditional Talavera pottery.