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talavera pottery/tile

updated mon 18 dec 00

 

Paul Brinkmann on sun 17 dec 00


Am looking for information on who to make Talavera Pottery/Tile. This is a
technique which is made in Puebelo, Mex, and is quite popular . I first saw
it in the little town of Wimberly, Tx, but to my reget, I didn't purchase
any. The ware has extreamly bright and vivid colored designs, and as near
as I can figure is similar to majolica. If any one knows of how this
process is done, and might have receipts for the base and over-glaze, would
appreciate hearing form you. Or perhaps you might know of books or
literature on the technique. Thank you in advance, and
wishing you a very holy and happy Christmas. Paul G. Brinkmann

Marcia Selsor on sun 17 dec 00


Dear paul,
talavera MX has a very old tradition of majolica. Up to a few years ago
they were making real tin glaze majolica, but now they are using
synthetic tin glaze or maybe even zircopax. My friend, Dr. Louana
Lackey, worked in Talavera for many years as an ethnoarcheologist
documenting this tin glaze process at one particular factory. She was so
close to the owner of the factory that they gave her an apartment
whenever she came to town. Anyway, they died with the secrets of their
recipes. There were several rival factories in town that may still be in
business. I just saw some Talavera contemporary pots in Billings Montana
at a gift store with a nice brochure. At the factory where my friend was
working, the owner died. Then their fireman died. (fires the kilns). The
next fireman misfired their kilns about four times in a row and the
company was bankrupt. Talavera Mx is named after Talavera de la Riena in
Spain which is also famous for its tinglaze.
My friend Louana was writing a book about it. She is just finishing a
biography of Rudy Autio and plans to go back to her work on Talavera
after that project is finished.
She has a great collection of the Talavera pottery and tiles. It is
indeed a beautiful tinglaze=majolica. I am afraid they didn't share the
recipes because of the competition. The dinner sets for the old factory
were very very pricey.
Hope that is some of the info you were looking for.
Best regards,
marcia

Paul Brinkmann wrote:
>
> Am looking for information on who to make Talavera Pottery/Tile. This is a
> technique which is made in Puebelo, Mex, and is quite popular . I first saw
> it in the little town of Wimberly, Tx, but to my reget, I didn't purchase
> any. The ware has extreamly bright and vivid colored designs, and as near
> as I can figure is similar to majolica. If any one knows of how this
> process is done, and might have receipts for the base and over-glaze, would
> appreciate hearing form you. Or perhaps you might know of books or
> literature on the technique. Thank you in advance, and
> wishing you a very holy and happy Christmas. Paul G. Brinkmann
>
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--
Marcia Selsor
selsor@imt.net
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls/Tuscany2001.html