Nathan King Design

Galleria Elegante – Specializing in Online Retail of Mexican Talavera, Mata Ortiz Pottery

Quality artisan craftsmanship in Mexican pottery can be elusive. High-yield factory-made objects are appreciable, but cannot compare to the artistic pieces that are produced in smaller quantities by trained and talented artists. The fine quality of some functional and decorative pots, vases, urns and platters reflect the skills and gifts of the artist who made them, most often using techniques that respect the traditional methods used in production. Two exceptional examples of pottery that pay tribute to traditional practices are Mexican talavera pottery and Mata Ortiz Pottery.

Collectors of true Mexican talavera pottery will attest to the value of its craftsmanship. Thought to have originated in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, Mexican talavera pottery is made through a process similar to that of Majolica in the Mediterranean. A generally accepted theory of how the craft was transported to the New World suggests that Spanish monks from Puebla, Mexico requested that pottery makers from Talavera de la Reina, Spain be sent to Mexico to introduce the craft to the people of the region. The skills and techniques to manufacture Mexican talavera pottery eventually became standardized, so that all pieces produced could be trusted as fine, uniform quality functional and decorative art. Today, the craft continues to be practiced using these same high standards by official guilds, or “fabricas”, in Mexico. Mexican talavera pottery is made by combining and soaking two types of clay, then draining and filtering it of its impurities. Using a potter’s wheel or molds, artists create their pieces, dry them for eight weeks, and fire them at high-temperatures. Pieces are then dipped in glaze and hand decorated which, when fired a final time, produces creations of very rich color. Each fabrica, fourteen of which exist today in Mexico, mark each of their pieces with their names and registry numbers to certify their origin.

The origins of Mata Ortiz pottery makes a curious story. A man named Juan Quezada from the town of Mata Ortiz, Mexico, studied the pottery shards he discovered at Casas Grandes, the site of an ancient city. Through trial and error, he taught himself the technique of pottery-making that enabled him to mimic the pottery of the ancient culture. As his skills became further refined and his work more exquisite, demand increased and a new form of artwork appeared on the global market.

Today, some retailers are able to offer authentic certified Mexican talavera and Mata Ortiz pottery to art lovers. Galleria Elegante is an online retailer who specializes in sourcing, selling and carefully shipping pottery in North America. They proudly offer work from Uriarte Talavera, a fabrica founded in 1824, known as one of the best fabricas in the country. Collectors of Mexican fine art are able to decorate their homes with platters, urns, plates, canisters, jars, vases, tiles, salad bowls and serving dishes that would otherwise only be found locally in Mexico or in museums further North.

For more information, visit www.GalleriaElegante.com

About the Author

Galleria Elegante is a leading dealer of traditional and modern pottery. For more information, visit www.GalleriaElegante.com

POTTERY decorating a dinner plate

1963 RARE ORIGINAL PABLO PICASSO EYE MOTIFS CERAMIC POTTERY PLATE MUSEUM FRAMED $9,500.00

HISTORICAL FASCISMO ITALIAN ART POTTERY PLATE BY ALDO ZAMA & R.GREGORI FAENZA $6,750.00

PICASSO MADOURA CERAMIC POTTERY CORRIDA PLATE 197 PICADOR AND BULL $4,800.00

ANTIQUE-RARE!! COMPLETE SET OF 24 ROYAL DOULTON GIBSON GIRLS POTTERY RACK PLATES $4,699.99

Pair 3ft Silver Plate Imari Porcelain Pottery Urns $3,556.58

AMERICAN STUDIO ART POTTERY WALL PLATE SIGNED RARE LRG $2,700.00

Authentic MARIA MARTINEZ Pueblo Pottery Plate – Signed Maria Poveka $2,100.00

Rare Original Known Tucson Artist TED DEGRAZIA Signed Pottery Platter/Huge Plate $1,999.95

1790 HERCULANEUM POTTERY, ENGLAND CREAMWARE PRODIGAL SON SET OF 2 PLATES VGC $1,800.00

Islamic Sgraffito green glazed pottery plate / dish $1,750.00

EDITION PICASSO Limited (37/500) MADOURA Red Earthenware POTTERY Plate $1,600.00

Superb art deco Poole Pottery leaping Stag RARE plate CSA 11.75″ diameter $1,185.53

San Ildefonso Pottery Plate by John Gonzales $1,200.00

A pottery multicolor plate with two handdles $1,200.00

Set 6 Antique Japanese Imari Hizen Ware Plate Pottery Dish Fuku Mark Beauty WOW $1,200.00

Vintage Watt Pottery, Set of 12 Luncheon Plates Cups, Bowls, Spaghetti Big Bowls $1,199.00

ANCIENT GREEK POTTERY RED FIGURE PLATE 4th century BC $1,082.78

Authentic MARIA MARTINEZ Pueblo Pottery Plate – Signed Maria and Santana $1,100.00

Rare 1907-12 Van Briggle Pottery Bisque Ware Plate – Series 15 / Ext. Rare Logo $975.00

Antique French Pottery Faience of Rouen -Color Plates France Ceramics Collecting $900.00

Rare 1907-1912 Van Briggle Pottery Bisque Ware Plate – Series 15 Leaves & Grapes $895.00

Harlander mid-century modern cubist Picasso Canadian art pottery charger/plate $877.00

P G Biot Tanagra Bird Plate Pottery Terracotta Greek ? $825.00

ANTIQUE GERMAN MAJOLICA POTTERY SCHRAMBERG SMF PLATTER PLATE DESERT SET DAISY $800.00

NYONYA POT POTTERY PAIR & Plate Rare Old Collection Jar Vase Porcelain Garden $760.00

Kiln Pottery Charm – Sterling Silver, Gold Plated or 10k or 14k Yellow Gold $755.04

Pair of Plates Hungarian Folk Art Pottery Antique 1884 Dated and Inscribed $750.00

Antique Harlequin Pottery Collection Plates Creamer Cups Bowl $750.00

XL Japanese Arita Ceramic Pottery Plate Dish Bowl $711.32

Poole Pottery Trial Glazed Delphis Plate Janet Laird 1960/70s Wax resist 2 of 2 $711.32

V.Fine Old Antique European Faience Delft Blue & White Art Pottery 10″ Plate $699.99

#2 THREE UNDERWATER Antique Bowl Plate Pottery Ceramic Sung / Song (960-1279)Era $690.00

Rare Original Signed TED DeGrazia Indian Kachina Art Pottery Plate Az Artist $689.95

11″W x 2 1/4″H Zuni Tony Lorenzo Lizard Plate Pottery $683.00

18thC Polychrome Enamel Painted Delft Pottery Plate $636.00

DERUTA ITALIAN MOSAIC POTTERY PORTRAIT PLAQUE PLATE PRINCESS TURANDOT ITALY HP $625.00

42 Pcs Blue Ridge Southern Potteries Chrysanthemum Serv 8 +Platters, Bowls Plate $625.00

NEW Pottery Barn 12 DAYS of CHRISTMAS Plates/Platter/Napkins/Rings/Runner S/62 $599.97

PORTUGUESE PALISSY Snakes 19th Century CHARGER PLATE Spaghetti Art Pottery CUNHA $599.00

GOUDA POTTERY PLATE 1923 14.37 INCHES $599.00

Artistic MASHIKO Japan INCREDIBLE Big POTTERY Hand Painted PLATE Vintage BEAUTY $599.00

VTG ESTATE RARE STUDIO ART MID CENTURY EAMES POTTERY STONEWARE PLATTER PLATE SET $597.99

Thun Thuner Majolica Swiss Pottery Plate Church c.1890 $595.00

Thun Thuner Majolica Swiss Pottery Plate Cottage c.1890 $595.00

Dutch art pottery high glaze P.Z.H. Gouda plate 17,4″ $595.00

Poole Pottery Delphis Trial Glazed Plate 27cm Janet Laird 1960/70s Wax resist $592.76

22″Dia Unique Pottery Large Plate made in Bulgaria 1123 $550.00

22″D Large plate made in Bulgaria unique pottery 1125LP $550.00

Kiln Pottery Charm – Sterling Silver, Gold Plated or 10k or 14k Yellow Gold $536.03

Italian Greek Pottery Rubino Alabaster Mars Venus Hercules Plates Decorative 4pc $525.00

OLD ANTIQUE JAPANESE POTTERY BLUE WHITE OLD LANDSCAPE CHARGER PLATE $525.00

Dedham Art Pottery Antique Plate with Trees $500.00

ANTIQUE ES FRANCE FAIENCE ART POTTERY PLATEAU PLATE SIGNED DYSON $500.00

VINTAGE LARGE STANGL ART POTTERY PLATE 11-1/4″, RING NECK PHEASANT DESIGN $500.00

POTTERY BARN 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS PLATTER PLATES NAPKIN $500.00

STUNNING VINTAGE ITALIAN ART POTTERY DECORATIVE PLATE CHARGER GOLD HORSES SIGNED $499.99

VERA RUSSELL POTTERY PLATE BEAUTIFUL SIGNED 22K. $499.99

Antique Stoke on Trent England Gray’s Pottery Plates Hunting Coaching Scene 2Pc $499.99

Handcoiled Santa Clara Pottery Native American Indian Buffalo Plate N. Red Star $499.00

NYONYA POT POTTERY PAIR & Plate Rare Old Collection Jar Vase Porcelain Garden $499.00

beautiful jewish judaica israel israeli vintage passover pottery ceramic plate $499.00

unusual vintage armenian islamic pottery plate jerusalem palestine 30’s iznik $499.00

VINTAGE REDWARE AMERICAN POTTERY REDWARE PLATE BOWL 9 3/4″ WIDE $495.00

Raku Pottery Plate 22in.x 2in.hand thrown pottery by international artist Litsey $490.00

PAIR RARE 1740-50 ENGLISH DELFTWARE POTTERY CHINESE MOTIF PLATES $490.00

ANCIENT GREEK POTTERY RED FIGURE PLATE 4th century BC $466.31

Antique Pottery Prattware Pearlware Transfer Child’s Plate Richard 1820 $474.21

Beautiful Arizona Art Pottery Turquoise, Blue & White Plates, Bowls, Mugs $455.00

Whieldon English Pottery Plate – Circa 1760 $455.00

*ANTIQUE SARREGUEMINES & VB MAJOLICA Art Pottery PLATE c1818-1850, pc23 $450.00

ANTIQUE FRENCH POTTERY PIE PLATE & PITCHER BEAUTIFUL $450.00

Daniel Zuloaga (1852 – 1921) Art Pottery Wall Plate $449.95

Rare Van Briggle Pottery 1907-1912 Spider Coaster Plate – Design #623 $435.00

Rare Poole Pottery Spring Leipzig Girl Plate – 1950’s $418.89

Superb Vintage HARDING BLACK POTTERY Bowl/Plate Circa 1964 $419.00

DERUTA POTTERY XL BIG DINNER PLATES GEO, FREE SHIPPING $419.00

19th c French Quimper Folk Art Pottery Plate Sponged Border Pansy in the Center $400.00

SIGNED A,DIAS NUMBERED MAIOLICA POTTERY PORTUGUESE WINE CARAFE W/ BASE PLATE $400.00

Whieldon English Pottery Plate – Circa 1760 $400.00

british english antique albion blue willow super large plate pottery $399.00

VTG ESTATE RARE MIKE POPOVICH STUDIO ART MID CENTURY EAMES POTTERY PLATE SET 4 $397.99

VTG ESTATE MID CENTURY EAMES MODERNIST TILE INLAY POTTERY JUG VASE PLATE LOT 2 $397.99

4 Early Antique Derby Imari Pottery Kings Plate Set $395.00

Antique English Pearlware Pottery My Son Child’s Plate $395.00

18″Dia Unique Pottery Large Plate made in Bulgaria 1121 $375.00

Large 20.75″ Wall Hanging Hand-Made Glazed Ceramic Pottery Art Plate Signed $375.00

Fine Ancient Peruvian Chancay Painted Art Pottery Plate $375.00

RARE RARE Escalier de Cristal Paris Pottery Monkey Plate! 1800’s! INCREDIBLE $372.25

CATALINA ISLAND POTTERY DESCANSO GREEN RED CLAY WALL PLATE! $371.25

c1790 Swansea Pottery Pair of China Plates $363.56

Large Plate Handmade in Bulgaria Unique Pottery 1122 $355.00

Soho pottery plate made for Argentinian Centenial $350.00

A rielways pottery plate made for Argentinian Centenial $350.00

Rialways pottery plate made for Argentinian Centenial $350.00

Domar Israel Ceramic Sculpted Pottery Menorah Plate 12″ Zfat Safed $350.00

A Royal Doulton alegorican pottery plate $350.00

Antique Nippon Hand-Painted Bowl Ceramic Pink Footed Pottery Japanese Dish Plate $350.00

Vintage Franciscan Pottery Desert Rose Dinner Plate Set of 10 NR $350.00

Wood & Sons Woods Ivory Ware Pottery Fish Set – 1 Platter 8 Plates 1 Gravy $350.00

MEMPHIS DESSERT PLATE LOT 2 SERAFINO 1986 ART POTTERY $349.99

Norpro Stoneware Butter Keeper $5.52 Product Features Keeps butter fresh for up to 30 days without refrigeration Water seals out air keeping butter soft and spreadable Holds 1/2 cup of butter (1 stick) Features attractive cobalt blue stripe accents Dishwasher safe Product Description Softened butter is packed firmly into the bell-shaped lid. Cold water is poured into the base of the crock. The lid is placed upside down back in…

Dishwasher and Microwave Safe High-Fire Ceramic Food Face Plate, 8-1/2 Diameter Encourage kids to play with their food in a way both of you can appreciate – and even get a laugh – with Food FaceTM plate! Kids can use their creative minds and their yummy food to design wacky faces – green beans for eyebrows, gravy for a beard, mac ‘n’ cheese for hair, whatever their little minds can imagine – the possibilities are endless. High-fire ceramic dishwasher and microwave safe. Comes…

Corelle Livingware Winter Frost 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4 $32.14 Fashion the perfect setting for any occasion. Durable guaranteed against breakage, chipping, and staining. Storage stacks in less space than stoneware. Versatile refrigerator, microwave, oven, and dishwasher compatible. 1 year warranty covers normal household use, food preparation, serving or commercial/industrial use of Corelle products promise to replace any Corelle dinnerware that should crack,…

You Can Glue It! – How to Repair Broken Ceramics, China, Porcelain, and Pottery [VHS] $9.98 You Can Glue It! demonstrates simple techniques to successfully restore broken china, ceramics, porcelain or pottery using common household products. The video shows how to select the best glue for your project, position pieces correctly for gluing, unglue old poorly glued pieces, remove stains, fill cracks, make a missing piece, and paint to camouflage cracks….

Invisible English Plate Hanger Disc-3 Inch for Plates 6 to 8 Inches in Diameter $1.75 These Invisible Disc Adhesive Plate Hangers hold china, porcelain, crafts, large trays and platters, and home decor of many different sizes and shapes. Each plate hanger holds up to 3 pounds. Use 2 or more disc hangers to hold heavier pottery, trays, and decor. These 3″ Disc Hangers work best for most applications….

POTTERY SHARDS Switchplates Outlet Covers, Rocker, GFCI 3 Toggle $27.50 9 Configurations Available for Toggles, Outlets, Decora. Hand-painted ceramic switchplates….

Florene Decorative – Pottery On Stone – Light Switch Covers – double toggle switch $13.75 Pottery On Stone Light Switch Cover is new and handcrafted utilizing unique process resulting in a stunning high gloss ceramic-like finish. SET OF MATCHING SCREWS IS INCLUDED giving it a perfect finishing touch. Made of durable metal material….