A new world, Issue 4

By now, you’ve followed Talavera across ancient cities, palaces, and oceans. But hold on—this next chapter is where things really start to shine. Why? Because this is the story of how Talavera finally found its forever home… in Mexico! 🇲🇽

The Conquistadors Arrive

In 1521, Spanish conquistadors landed in the New World, bringing with them armor, ships, and… ceramics? Yep, they couldn’t live without their beloved tin-glazed pottery! After centuries of Muslim influence in Spain, this style of pottery had become part of everyday life. So when they arrived in what is now Mexico, they weren’t about to give it up.

But there was one big problem: the beautiful indigenous pottery already being made in cities like Cholula didn’t match what the Spanish were used to. Even though the local designs were stunning, the settlers refused to eat off native-made plates (not cool, but true). So, they brought over their own—and when demand exploded, local production began.

Enter Puebla

Welcome to Puebla de los Ángeles—a city dreamed up by a bishop who claimed angels told him where to build it (magical, right?). Nestled between volcanoes and rivers, Puebla had everything a pottery master could ask for: clay in three colors, minerals for glazes, and even rivers to power machinery. It was basically a potter’s paradise.

Soon, Puebla’s own tin-glazed pottery took off. The craftsmanship was so impressive that even travelers from Europe said it was better than the original Talavera from Spain. Puebla became the “Barcelona of America,” with artisans producing not only pottery, but also textiles, glass, and even weapons. But it was the ceramics—now known as Talavera poblana—that really stole the spotlight.

A Craft with Heart

Making Talavera wasn’t easy. Clay had to be mixed, cleaned, aged, stomped on (literally!), shaped, dried, glazed, painted, and fired twice. Designs were added with cobalt blue, copper green, and even manganese purple—just like back in Baghdad centuries earlier.

The techniques were passed down from master to apprentice, and although the original Muslim potters may have blended into the population over time, their secrets lived on in every plate and tile.

From Tableware to Tile Masterpieces

And it didn’t stop at dinner plates. Puebla’s artists took it to a whole new level. They began covering entire buildings with colorful tiles—churches, homes, fountains, even kitchens!

One legendary example? The Church of San Francisco Acatepec. Covered from top to bottom in tiles that sparkle like precious gems, it’s like walking into a real-life jewelry box.

Even kitchens got the royal treatment! One famous kitchen in the Convent of Santa Rosa is completely tiled, from floor to ceiling, and legend has it that this is where mole poblano—Mexico’s most iconic dish—was invented.

A Melting Pot of Influence

Over time, Talavera in Puebla evolved into something completely unique. Spanish styles mixed with indigenous traditions and even inspiration from Asia (thanks to goods arriving from the Philippines). That’s how blue-and-white Chinese patterns ended up on Mexican tiles!

Puebla’s artisans took all these influences and created a style full of color, joy, and even a bit of humor—something you can still see today in Clayvera’s modern designs!

Up Next: The Rise of the Talavera Masters

Puebla's potters had the clay, the talent, and the technique—but what they needed next was power. In our next issue, we’ll step into the golden age of Talavera, where guilds were formed, secrets were guarded, and pottery became more than just art—it became a legacy. Get ready to meet the master potters who turned a humble craft into a powerhouse industry that shaped a city and stunned the world.

Don’t miss it! 🏺👑🔥