The Global Renaissance in Colonial Mexico

A kitchen in a well-to-do colonial Mexican home would have had a wide variety of spices and dried goods, such as pepper, cloves, cinnamon and cacao beans, that were stored in different kinds of vessels. ¹ Some of these foodstuffs were considered valuable enough to be kept under lock and key in jars like the one pictured in Figure 2.5.1. Today this jar is described as belonging to the talavera poblana style, the name given to the ceramic tradition that developed in the city of Puebla de los Angeles in New Spain (colonial Mexico) in the early modern period. This name also harkens back to Mexico's connection with Spain since the term “talavera” refers to the Spanish city of Talavera de la Reina, which was also famous for its ceramics. ² Artisans in colonial New Spain initially used techniques and designs from the Spanish majolica tradition that they were familiar with to establish their industry. However, with the influx of goods from Asia and the influence of local Indigenous traditions, a distinct style began to emerge that differed markedly from its Spanish counterpart. The ceramics produced in Puebla were consumed widely in colonial Latin America from the seventeenth century onwards, used in regions as far away as Peru. ³ Their local significance continued into the postcolonial period and today these ceramics are one of several local products that are given the official denomination of the “Pride of Mexico” by the national government. ⁴