This vase has been hanging around my house for decades and I'm sorta kinda wishing it would go on to it's destiny via eBay.
It's 6 1/2" tall, probably 4 1/2" in diameter. The design looks a whole lot like the handpainted "Talavera" tiles here and there in my brick walks but I guess Talavera is in Spain, not Mexico. (I don't want to have egg on my face from mis-describing it.)
Anyhow, any help at all in identifying this will be very much appreciated.
posted on May 27, 2003 08:48:22 PM new
Lucy: Adele here. The vase is very pretty; wish I could help you further.
The "talavera" look may officially be Spain; however, we see that a lot when we travel in Mexico. There are some garden wall pots which some sellers are calling wallpockets and trying to sell in that category on eBay, calling them talavera. Most of them are brand-new and not collectible.
Yeah, I noodled around all over eBay, came up with a couple of semi matches.
Reason I say semi is they're only similar. My vase is heavy, it weighs 21 ounces. Glazed on the inside, too. It's not that coarse light-weight terra cotta the kids try to sell you at the border. The cobalt glaze is very thick - stands out from the surface.
posted on May 28, 2003 09:33:33 AM new
Hi, I have a book about Mexican Pottery that shows several vases similar to yours. They do refer to it as Talavera. Most of the photos are dated from the 1930's to the 1960's. There is a photo of the marking on the bottom that is similar to yours. (not exact) The marking in the book photo is the Uriarte Family. The reference book is Mexican Pottery Ceramica of the 20th Century by Amanda Thompson - Schiffer Book. I sell alot of Mexican Pottery and usually just describe it as close as possible and use question marks on the things I'm unsure of. Usually the collectors recognize what they're looking for. Hope this helps.
posted on May 28, 2003 02:38:11 PM new
You can still by the Talavera down in Mexico. Several years ago in Progresso (just over the Tx border south of McAllen) I purchased a soup tureen, large salad bowl and serving bowls. Very pretty pottery but probably not valuable.
[ edited by ewora on May 28, 2003 02:38 PM ]
Yes, Talavera certainly is available now and it is very pretty. The Uriarte company has beautiful pieces for sale on their website.
I bought the tiles for my brickwork from a place in New Mexico. Incidentally, as far as the tiles, the designs on some are truly handpainted while others are done with a stencil.
