Talavera Poblana: Four Centuries of a Mexican Ceramic Tradition

Rating:
Summary: Best Book (for now, anyway) About Talavera
Review: This is the show book for a 1999 exhibition organized by the Museo Bello in Puebla, Mexico, and by The Americas Society and The Hispanic Society of America, both of New York City, in which the treasures of the former and those of Museo Franz Meyer of Mexico City were displayed. It's as academic as it is entertaining, and is in English and Spanish with superb photographs. For anyone who would be a collector, this is the book, for now --- a stipulation given only because of its brevity, and until the sine quo non is published. It's important because little authentic historic talavera is on the market; and because the vast majority of what is produced in Puebla these days is a sad imitation of this artisanal tradition --- whether you buy it in Puebla or attempt to find it on the web. The reader learns the technical terms and about techniques. As the book does not relate to practical buying tips, remember that it is an exhibition book, and not intended as a collector's guide. Then, if it's a bit spare on such historical details as the difference between the Puebla and Guanajuato schools, at least it does relate to talavera's oriental origins. I give it high marks for a show book. As a longtime talavera collector, I am overjoyed with it. Go buy it at Amazon, already, because it isn't available in the stores. And nada más is available in English!