Are you interested in owning and have you been looking for a genuine Talavera product? How would you know that the products offered by online distributors and offline distributors and retailers are really authentic? Beware of imitations!
Talavera is a tin-enameled earthenware, made of majolica pottery and comes only from Puebla, Mexico, and its nearby communities of Atlixco, Cholula, and Tecali.
This world-renowned hand-painted ceramic is highlighted by a milky white glaze. It comes in different forms, including both functional and decorative pieces such as plates, tableware, vases and tiles.
These are some of the characteristics of authentic Talavera pottery:
- The talavera is made from a mixture of only two clays, a dark clay and a light clay, slightly pink in color.
- The source of clay supply to make Talavera comes from the geographical area of Talavera de Puebla and the communities of Atlixco, Cholula and Tecali.
- The talavera is formed by hand with a potter’s wheel or with molds, it is not poured. They are also hand painted.
- Talavera pieces have undergone two firings. The oven used to cook Talavera must be at least 800 degrees Celsius.
- Talavera uses six color pigments and their color combination enhances the sophistication of the workmanship of Talavera pieces.
- The Talavera item is created by certified workshops in the state of Puebla Mexico using the traditional Talavera process. The Mexican Talavera Regulatory Council regulates the production of Talavera and restricts the use of the term to items produced within the designated zone of Puebla. There are only less than 20 certified workshops that produce authentic Talavera.
- The certified pieces of Talavera bear the signature of the potter, the logo of the workshop and the special hologram that certifies the authenticity of the piece. Only parts from workshops that meet the standards are certified.
You can buy Talavera in many stores and in all places in Mexico and the world. Some workshops also offer tours where you can see how it is being done.
There are also a number of stores that offer authentic and non-certified, but high-quality Talavera products.
Authentic Talavera is expensive, as each piece is unique and of excellent quality. However, knockoffs can be just as expensive and seemingly unique. You need to be very careful that your money is actually worth the Talavera item that you have.
For more information visit:
- http://www.mlsbajaproperties.com/blogs/mls_baja/archive/2009/12/27/real-vs-fake-talavera-pottery.aspx
- http://talaverica.com – Home Ceramics of Talavera, Handmade silver jewelry from Mexico, and more …