blue talavera pottery

Working with traditional methods and materials, artisan Isabelle Collins crafts these Talavera-style decorative ceramic tiles. Authentic Talavera pottery, which dates back to the 16th century, comes only from the state of Puebla and must be made according to exacting specifications. The sunny yellow and cobalt blue tiles would make a magnificent backsplash or as decoration for a fireplace mantel.

This beautiful set of 12 square ceramic tiles features a yellow sunflower motif framed by flourishes in cobalt. The cheerful tiles would make a magnificent backsplash or as decoration for a fireplace mantel. Isabelle Collins 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.

Artisan Isabelle Collins uses traditional methods and materials to craft these Talavera-style decorative ceramic tiles. Authentic Talavera pottery, which dates back to the 16th century, comes only from the state of Puebla and must be made according to exacting specifications. The beautiful tiles would make a magnificent backsplash or as decoration for a fireplace mantel.