Stephani Stephenson on fri 23 aug 02
A truly wonderful collection of Spanish ceramics can be found in
Barcelona, at the Museu de Ceramica,
located at the Palau Reial de Pedrables.
Pedrables Palace, which houses the museum , is now owned by the
Barcelona City Council. It was built in 1925, and was used by Spain's
royal family on their visits to Barcelona.
The collection , housed in 20 rooms , offers a fabulous comprehensive
overview of handcrafted Spanish ceramics from the 12th through the 20th
centuries.
There you will see traditional Andalusian, Catalan,
Aragonese,Valencian, and Casatilian pottery and tile as well as modern
and contemporary works.. there are so many examples of wonderful forms,
glazing techniques, etc. will make your jaw drop.
Contemporary works from Artigas, Amoros, d'ors, cots,Blasco, Colmeiro,
and many others are also in the collection and even ceramics from
Picasso and Miro .
This museum really gives you a sense of the fullness and depth of the
regional pottery traditions of Spain and includes some noteworthy tile
murals..."The Bullfight" and the "Chocolate Party" .
Pedralbes palace is off the beaten path if you are otherwise near Las
Ramblas , the Gothic quarter, the museum of art or seeing the works of
Gaudi. But it is a treasure and a pleasant surprise and a must see for
any potter visiting Barcelona.
Museu de Ceramica,
Palau Reial de Pedrables.
address Av. Diagonal, 686
08034 Barcelona
(93) 280 16 21
accessible on the Metro Green line III or by taxi
Stephani Stephenson
Carlsbad /Encinitas CA
jspoces on fri 23 aug 02
Talavera de la Reina has a pottery community within the town. They try to reproduce the old majolica style pottery. I stopped in a shop/studio. The owners were very friendly and helpful. While I was there they were cleaning bubbles and flaws off the surface of freshly glazed ware. I bought three finished platters (wonderful brushwork). I asked if they had any pottery with images of horses. Apparently horses are considered Italian in style and they sent me down the street to another shop/studio.
On the same street was a bookshop where I bought TALAVERA Y LOS RUIZ DE LUNA by Ma. Isabel Hurley Molina. The book tells the story of the effort to reproduce the antique majolica pots. The illustrations are great. I just wish I could read Spanish. Pictures are worth a ... There are examples all over town of tilework, both old and new.
In Madrid there are shops that specialize in quality pottery from all over Spain. Talavera de la Reina is still my favorite pottery town.
Saundra in NC
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