Mexican pottery

[laidbackin LA]

Does anyone have any stories about pottery purchases in Mexico? What shops? Did it stand up under wear or did it crack-n-chip?

[l929]

Just an FYI, some pottery made in Mexico contains a lead glaze that is harmful to young children.

[Desertbelle]

Be aware that some of the pottery is "greenware" so it's not been fired, just paint over dried clay. It breaks very, very easily. I can't imagine using any of that for cooking.

 

We brought back a few piggy banks and a couple of painted plates. Everything broke except one of the plates. It was extremely cheap but none the less we were disappointed.

[Ine]

In the old town section on the eastern side of Rio Cuale in P. Vallarta - there is a beautiful shop with pottery, tiles etc.,

Also many things can be ordered and/or custom made.

http://www.talavera-tile.com/

 

In the past we have (and friends too) bought some very nice tiles etc. there.

Take a yellow cab (not the expensive white ones at the port) to the shop. You will love it.

[laidbackin LA]

Hmmm.

 

Lead content and fragility. Does not lead to consideration for purchases. Thanks for the info.

[Karynanne]

In the old town section on the eastern side of Rio Cuale in P. Vallarta - there is a beautiful shop with pottery, tiles etc.,

Also many things can be ordered and/or custom made.

http://www.talavera-tile.com/

 

In the past we have (and friends too) bought some very nice tiles etc. there.

Take a yellow cab (not the expensive white ones at the port) to the shop. You will love it.

 

I have also had many pieces of Talavera custom made, and shipped home. I've had these pieces about 9 yrs., and use them frequently. I don't put them in the dishwasher, and they are still beautiful.

 

On a cruise 2 yrs. ago, some tablemates bought 2 sinks, and brought them back with them. We teased them about "buying everything but the kitchen sink". They did!!

 

Karyn

[laidbackin LA]

I looked at the photos of those sinks from Talavera. Interesting. But I wouldn't have a place for them. I can see how some people would like to incorporate them into a home project, though.

 

Interesting stuff.

[KathiB]

I was in Puerto Vallerta last month and shopped at the store Ine mentioned, Talavera Tile. (See privous posts) We walked there from the main shopping area. Just across one of the bridges and up a few blocks. (Had a good map).

 

The plates, bowls, etc. were incredible. I bought many (not too big) for Christmas gifts. They wrapped them really well and I carried them on the plane. The plates are just beautiful and almost as exquisite as the ones I bought along the Amalfi coast this summer on our Med. cruise. I plan to use mine for chips and crackers so if there is lead I don't see a huge problem. Many are so beautiful you may want to hang them or just use them for decor.

 

Happy Shopping!

 

KathiB

[quepaquete]

Hmmm.

 

Lead content and fragility. Does not lead to consideration for purchases. Thanks for the info.

 

It just like everything else, you really get what you paid for. You can find excellent quality pottery all over the place as well as poor quality. Price is not always an indication, tho. Ask your tour guides or the locals (at the a restaurant, other shops, etc.) about the more reliable shops.

 

We have some excellent pottery from mexico that we got from art galleries. Yes, they were expensive and they look expensive, too. Art galleries usually search for the best artist in the area, and therefore have the best pieces. We have also brought some pieces from seller on the beach. We love them as well.

 

The reason that some are not fired -therefore very, very fragil- is because some people buy pottery to personalized it themselves.

[dmarch@islc.net]

We bought a flower pot in Mexico. We love it, wish we had bought more.

[pacmktg]

We have bought from the store mentioned above. It was for hand painted tiles 6" for our back patio. They have been installed for 3 years and look like the day we bought them. We carried them home on the plane. They packed them very well. We also bought some painted plates from a vendor in the square in old town and they have not fared as well. The glazing is cracked but the plates are intact and just used as decoration.

[L11]

I can second the recommendation for Talavera pottery. It is lead free and just beautiful. It is very well made and sturdy.

 

Another place you can find Talvera pottery is in Zihuatenejo. I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the shop, but it is one block off the beach, along with a number of other stores that sell good quality merchandise. Note that the pottery prices depend on the complexity of the design to some extent. We just bought coasters for everyone in my office (just returned from the 10/30 Mercury cruise). They were about $5 apiece. We also bought a small platter for cheese and crackers that was about $50, with a beautiful and complex design of birds and butterflies. A similar piece in the US runs close to $100.

 

By the way, if you are in Zihuatenejo, another good purchase is Oaxacan folk art. It is on the same block as the Talavera store, a little closer to the ship (sorry--I will have to see if i can find some names), actually in the back of a clothing store. We have purchased from them on prior cruises and have come to know the owners. The family has several shops in the area that feature various items made by local artisans including hand embroidered items, tapestries, rugs, etc. They speak English very well and are very friendly an d helpful. Avoid the beach vendors--cheap, but mostly junk.