Talavera pottery in Austin, hand-painted in Puebla and Guanajuato

What makes Talavera, Talavera

Talavera is tin-glazed earthenware with roots in colonial Puebla. Today the tradition lives on in workshops in Puebla and in Guanajuato, where we buy ours. The clay is shaped by hand or on the wheel, fired once, dipped in a milky white glaze and then painted by hand before a second firing. That is why the colors sit slightly raised, and why no two pieces are identical.

The classic palette is cobalt blue on white, but you will also see yellow, orange, green and black, often in floral and geometric patterns that trace back to Spanish, Arab and Chinese influences meeting in colonial Puebla.

Talavera for Austin homes and gardens

Talavera planters are the most popular pieces in the store. They bring color to a shaded porch, a patio or an entryway, and they look as good with a single succulent as with a full bougainvillea. We also carry urns, decorative pots, animals such as hummingbirds and pieces for the table.

• Planters and pots, from tabletop size to large floor planters
• Round bowls and pots with handles
• Urns and jars with lids
• Decorative figures and animals, such as our Talavera owl planters
• Seasonal pieces such as Talavera pumpkins

Custom Talavera orders

Want a planter that matches your front door or your kitchen tile? Ask us about custom Talavera. We can have pieces painted in the colors you choose. Bring a photo or a color sample to the store and we will take it from there.

Caring for Talavera

Talavera is earthenware, so it is a little more porous than stoneware. Read our Talavera care guide for tips on Texas sun, drainage and the occasional freeze.