*This
Needlepoint Tapestry - based on 17th century tiles - are historical
designs and very suitable for rustic decorations - informal
- modern and ( especially ) Spanish style-homes. They are
unusual as human figures are not typical in needlepoint. I own the
set of tiles and enjoy them every morning as I have my coffee -
I never tire of looking at them. They do not make them any more.
The artisans are disappearing in modern Spain. Art experts praise
their excellence in design - color and composition.*
*The
Frets ( Heraldic Borders Needlepoint ) are my creation. This Fret
is a classical design dating back to the Greeks - it does not
form a continuous meander - creating a more stationary effect
for a frame than the raking or meandering frets ( which the Moors
carried to such perfection in the Alhambra ) yet which would have
competed with the movement of the figures themselves. The small
Heraldic motifs represent the small tiles inserted into larger
- plain floor tiles - so typical in Spain and Mexico.*
*I
stitched the Hunter four times before the colors had the
effect of the true Talavera Ware Colors - the minerals ( producing
the paint ) of Talavera de la Reina have different colors than
any other provinces and countries. They have passed the test of
European acceptance in authenticity and interpretation ( which
is extremely strict )* - Samantha Taylor
We
do encourage purchasing these eight Kits at the same time to guarantee
that your needlepoint tapestry rug will have matching dye
lots. If this is a problem - we suggest you purchase the canvases
only - and we recommend the wool colors.
Talavera Ceramics - From
Spain to Puebla Mexico
Talavera is a type of majolica earthenware - a white and glazed
type of ceramic. Although the Spaniards introduced this type of
ceramics - ironically the term Talavera is used almost
more often in Mexico than in Talavera de la Reina - Spain.
Actually
- Talavera is the oldest tin-glazed ceramic in America
and it is still being manufactured with the same techniques
as in the 16th Century.
The production of tiles and ceramic ware in Puebla - Mexico
began almost immediately when the city was established in 1531.
Thanks
to the abundance of quality clay in the region and to the splendor
of the arts at that time in Puebla - in a short time the Talavera Poblana achieved such quality and beauty that it
was soon exported to the rest of the continent.
There
are different theories about its origin in Mexico - but the
most accepted explanation is that Spanish monks from the Santo
Domingo monastery in Puebla sent for craftsmen from Talavera
de la Reina to teach the indigenous people of the region
how to work the clay so they could create pieces similar to
the ones produced in Spain. They wanted to decorate their monastery
and church with tiles and religious sculptures.
About
the Mexican Potters Guild
A
potters guild was formed and Ordinances were laid down that
all potters who wished to produce Talavera had to follow.
This was done so that the quality of ceramics called Talavera was uniform - and that this earthenware had a distinctive
style and excellence.
Some
of the rules established by the Ordinances were:
The
color blue was to be used on the finest ceramic - because the
mineral pigments needed to produce this color were very expensive.
The customer could then easily distinguish the quality of fine
ceramic from one of lesser quality.
To
avoid falsifications each master potter had to sign or mark
his products.
Three
types of earthenware were to be produced - depending on the
quality of the pieces: Fine - Semi fine - and for Daily use.
Yearly
there were to be exams that craftsmen had to pass in order to
be considered master potters.
When
we look at the plates - jars - vases and tiles - we can detect
the confluence of several extraordinary cultures in this type
of art. We can easily observe distinctive characteristics of Spanish
- Arabic - Italian and Chinese origin - and of course the magnificent
creativity of the Mestizos and Indigenous people of Mexico.
Each
individual needlepoint tapestry is available - select the Figures Link above.
Payments
are processed via Paypal and a Paypal account is not required.
The paypal system will guide you through the transaction using
any major credit card or a PayPal account.
Availability:
Usually ships in 2-3 days
European
Customers may use PayPal above or the following link - Eight
> Rug
Kits
