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Art History Virtual Exhibition

Bird Motif Talavera Tripod Ashtray Aztec Mestizo cultures Early 21st century Terracotta, pigments, and glazes, L. 12.5 cm x W. 11.5 cm x H. 4.5 cm BFPC collection #2005.1

Talavera Pottery: Researched by Chaney Jewell and Jasmine Currey

October, 2020 by Sarah Teel

The Mexican polychrome ceramic tradition known as “Talavera pottery” derived its name from the Spanish town of Talavera de la Reina, as the Spanish introduced pottery-making techniques such as the potter’s wheel and high-firing glazes to the Aztec and the Mixtec cultures of the Valley of Mexico in the 15th century.  The Mestizo (mixed Native and Spanish heritage) potters who produce Talavera pottery today insist, however, that Talavera animal and floral designs and the color schemes were originally developed by Mesoamerican peoples, and some Mestizo potters continue to use traditional pinch, coil, hand-turning, and mold-making methods and Mesoamerican firing techniques.

Contemporary Talavera pottery designs have also been influenced by and have consciously adopted imagery from a wide variety cultures over the last five centuries, including Spanish, Italian, and Islamic motifs, as well as blue and white designs adopted from Chinese porcelain.  The pottery has developed into many different forms, from vases, cups, and bowls to ceramic tiles.  This small vase and ashtray are miniature pieces that copy the shape and style of large Talavera vases and Aztec Mesoamerican tripod vessels, and they use traditional Talavera imagery, but they are reduced to sizes that serve well as tourist souvenirs.  Researched by Chaney Jewell and Jasmine Currey

 

Bird Motif Talavera Tripod Ashtray
Aztec Mestizo cultures
Early 21st century
Terracotta, pigments, and glazes, L. 12.5 cm x W. 11.5 cm x H. 4.5 cm
BFPC collection #2005.1

 

Miniature Talavera Vase
Mixtec Mestizo cultures
Early 21st century
Ceramic, pigments, and glazes, L. 6 cm x W. 6 cm x H. 9 cm
BFPC collection #2011.28

 

 

For more information, you may contact the researcher(s) noted in the title of this exhibit entry, or Dr. Billie Follensbee, the professor of the course, at BillieFollensbee@MissouriState.edu

Filed Under: 2017 Spring, ART 485: Art of Mesoamerica Tagged With: ashtray, aztec mestizo cultures, bird motif, early 21st century art, miniature vase, mixtec mestizo cultures, talavera, talavera vase, terracotta, vase

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Categories

  • 2017 Fall, ART/MST 488: Basic Conservation of Art and Artifacts
  • 2017 Spring, ART 485: Art of Mesoamerica
  • 2018 Fall, ART 385: Art of the Americas
  • 2019 Fall, ART/MST 488: Basic Conservation of Art and Artifacts
  • 2019 Spring, ART 485: Art of Mesoamerica
  • 2020 Fall, ART 487: Art of the Americas

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20th century 20th century art africa african-american culture african-american midwest ozarks culture african art american midwest american midwest culture american midwest ozarks culture aztec mestizo culture beadwork bonniebrook ceramic ceramics colombia conservation cornhusk mask early 20th century early 21st century early 21st century art fijian culture footstone Great Plains Cultures headstone iroquois culture lakota culture late 20th century late 20th century art maya culture maya mestizo culture metal artifacts mexican mestizo cultures Navajo/Diné culture oceania ozarks culture panama peru preclassic/formative period reproduction reproductions rose o'neill tarahumara culture tourist trade art wedding vase zapotec culture

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