Colorful Talavera-Style Tiles (Set of 12), "Yellow Parrots"

From Isabelle Collins in Mexico, this gorgeous set of 12 square ceramic tiles features a yellow bird motif with green, orange and blue accents. The tiles would make a magnificent backsplash or as decoration for a fireplace mantel. The artisan works in the style and technique of classic Talavera pottery, using color schemes that date back to the 1500s. "We use the same techniques and styles used in 16th-century Puebla. Classic Talavera used only six colors, all of which were natural glazes compounded at home with mineral pigments. We create our homemade paintbrushes using mule hair or horsehair from the mane or tail, according to the thickness desired for our motifs," the artisan explains.