The striking ceramic known as “Talavera” is over 800 years old, originating in the Talavera de la Reina region of Spain. At that time, it was called “Majolica.”
Known for its beautiful glaze work, Talavera was imported to Mexico in the 16th Century where it was used to decorate monasteries and churches with tiles and religious figures. Talavera is not turned or tin glazed - the pigments are brushed onto raw or unfired glaze.
Each piece takes between 12 and 15 days to complete.It must set for 16 to 18 hours before being liquefied and poured into molds. The pieces are then hand polished and fired for six hours at 1500 degrees, then painted and baked again in an 1800 degree oven.
Prehispanic Mexican craftsmen blended the majolica process with their own interpretation of the method to work the clays of the region and incorporated their art forms and colors. Their product came to be known as Talavera.
