Make your home unique with artisanal Mexican Talavera tiles

Published October 14, 2023

Mexican Talavera tile is an old art form that vibrates with its distinctive architectural charm. Let’s explore its history and how its enduring allure can revitalize your home.

Talavera ceramics were brought to Mexico in the late 16th century by Catholic monks who needed tiles for adorning the many churches they were building in the New World. They particularly wanted the Muslim style common in Spain since the 12th century but importing tiles from Spain to Mexico was unfeasible.

The clergy then sought to promote local Mexican production and this prompted the migration of skilled artisans from the city of Talavera de la Reina, in Spain, who settled in Puebla and taught the craft to Mexican workers.

As the practice of beautifying convents and churches grew, this custom became widespread among those who had the purchasing power to decorate their homes with these precious tiles. Puebla’s abundant clay resources, coupled with soaring demand, transformed its Talavera production into a resounding success, and the burgeoning community of potters extended to the neighboring state of Tlaxcala.

Read more […]