These two pots are precisely what I envision when I think of Mexican pottery. They’re bright, colorful, and make a perfect accent. And while they may not work with all decors, there’s no denying their visual impact.
Mexico has a tradition of pottery and ceramics stretching back thousands of years. Even before Pre-Columbian times (and before Mexico was Mexico), pottery was a part of their culture. And if what I saw in the Mercado de Artesanías (Artist’s Market) in San Miguel de Allende is typical, Mexican potters have learned a thing or two in that time.
I haven’t seen so much vibrant pottery in one place since our trip to Peru. I particularly enjoyed the huge variety of items and color combinations at the Mercado.
Hands down, my favorite piece was the Day of The Dead Wedding Couple. This is one of the most hilarious and delightful pieces of art that I’ve seen in forever. I liked it so much that I can see this pair sitting atop my tombstone. That would wake up the neighbors.
Happy Trails and RIP,
James
GALLIVANCE 
spettacolare!
Queste sculture veramente un favoloso! ~ James
I love colourful Mexican pottery. Your pictures are stunning.
Thanks Darlene. With colors like this it’s hard to go wrong. ~James
Day of the Dead couple should definitely come home with you. Forget the tombstone just set them on the couch. Good conversation starters at a party!
Believe me Sue, the thought crossed my mind. I’ve always loved pottery, and took pottery classes for a few years. It’s sometimes hard to resist, but heavy, fragile stuff doesn’t fit the Gallivance lifestyle anymore. But I’m going to stuff my nursing home room with it. ~ James
I love that idea. Dave and I often say “When we are sitting in the nursing home won’t we have stories to tell” . The thought of your ‘friends’ sitting there with you makes me smile.
In 2011 we visited Talavera de la Reina in Spain – The City of Pottery’. It is said that Mexico’s Talavera is named after it!
I haven’t been to Talavera in Spain Andrew, but it’s logical that the Spaniards would bring the idea to the colonies. It’s beautiful stuff. ~James
Such pretty pictures! Love the pottery. I’m partial to the blue and white pieces. I have a pot from our trip to San Miguel – it made its way back to Texas and now sits in the hot sun of Dubai.
Thanks Lynda. I’ve always loved pottery and it’s hard to resist. We’ve carted pottery home from all over the world, but we’ve had to make a vow of “No Mas”. Heavy, fragile ceramics just don’t fit our lifestyle anymore. But it’s certainly fun to look at and lust over. ~ James
spectacular pottery…..
Thanks for the comment and for dropping by the blog. You are so right that this is wonderful pottery. ~ James
I want it all.
I’m with you Tricia. In addition to pots, plates, and vases, I’d love a nice fountain in a small courtyard. They do courtyards so well in Latin America. ~ James
The Day of the Dead couple are wonderful in so many ways. You have acquired them for your tombstone, haven’t you? Written the instructions into your will yet?
Bronwyn, wouldn’t that be a real hoot. The only thing I would add is a drink in their hands. ~ James
Oh, you could instruct your descendants to refresh their drinks instead of refreshing bouquets of flowers!
I love colour, vibrant colour. Looking at these is like being a kid in a candy store. 😀
It’s so colorful and fun. With this much eye-candy in one place, I just couldn’t resist a bunch of photos. ~ James
Makes me smile just looking at your photos.
I think I simultaneously drooled and swooned over Mexican pottery. And Italian pottery. Didn’t discover Peruvian pottery. How did we miss that?!
I’m with you Alison, I really could take a suitcase-load home with me. But our motto is: “If you buy it, you carry it.” That stops all but the smallest of purchases. Re: Peru, I remember that we were wandering around the old town and stumbled on a wonderful shop chocked full. ~ James
Now that you’ve alerted me I’m going to look out for it at the Otavalo market – headed there this Saturday. i know it’s mostly textiles, but maybe we’ll find some pottery there.
Otavalo market. I don’t know it. Where are you now? ~ James
It’s in Ecuador, a little north of Quito where we are at the moment. It is apparently one of the biggest artisan markets in South America. After a week in Quito we go to Galapagos! Yay!
“Leave us with a smile”, James? There are much worse things 🙂
You’re right Jo. I always liked the epitaph: ” I told you I was sick!” ~ James
🙂
Gorgeous vibrant colors! I’ve always loved Mexican pottery but never had a place for it– but I never thought about putting them on my tombstone lol. You gave me a good laugh this morning. : )
Thanks Kristen. (James channeling Martha Stewart.) Why not try a set of salad plates with matching salt and pepper shakers for you next Margarita Party. ~ James
I can’t wait to go back to Mexico. Beautiful pictures.
Thanks for the comment Mary Ann and for dropping by the blog. We were in Mexico a few years ago and it’s nice to be back. San Miguel is particularly nice. ~ James
Sounds like you are soaking up all the sights and sounds of Mexico. There was a wonderful art festival near where we lived in Mexico and there was always a life-size Day of the Dead Wedding Couple amongst the treasures…lovely! 🙂
Some of these Day of the Dead couples look a little creepy, like Tim Burton characters. But this couple was fabulous. So incredibly colorful, creative, and with a great sense of humor. I’d love to see a life-size version. BTW, where did you live in Mexico? ~ James
We lived in the Lake Chapala area in San Antonio Tlayacapan, a lovely little Mexican village. It was great to shop in the local little tiendas, supporting the community.
LouAnn, our next stop is Morelia. Have you been there, and if so, any tips? ~ James
I want to visit and shop there! I am building a house in Mexico, and my kitchen will be done with talavera! 🙂
Thanks for the comment and for dropping by the blog. As you can tell from this post, I’m a big fan of Mexican pottery and ceramics. I think it would be great fun to do a kitchen in Talavera. Where will your house be? ~James
The colors are so cheerful! Love the beautiful patterns.
Thanks Amy. There seems be a endless variety of colors and patterns. I particularly like the unusual combinations of colors. ~ James
Lovely! And just have the picture etched on the back of the tombstone, or mount a color metal print. 🙂
It’s interesting Pam, that the Day of the Dead is about reverence for ancestors, but it’s also about a sense of fun. This couple definitely falls on the fun side. ~ James
Absolutely gorgeous!
It’s too bad that the pottery here is so heavy and fragile. I love it and am tempted by all of it. ~ James
Me too! 🙂 I have managed to bring back a few small pieces, but the bigger pieces is too risky, and in the states it is way too expensive!
Stunning colour. Great photos.
Just love that little balcony and doorway. Wish mine looked like that.
Thanks Vicki. I love the simplicity and vivid colors of this balcony. There are many like it in San Miguel. ~ James
Can’t wait to see it with my own eyes, especially after the drudgery greys in Paris this winter.
Steve, soak up that grey, because you certainly won’t be seeing any in SMA. It’s color all the way here. We spent a couple of weeks in Paris in the dead of winter, and it loses some of that romantic appeal that everyone talks about. ~ James
Beautiful! I love the bright colors and patterns. Someday, when Steve and I have a home base, I’d love to have some of these pots in our garden! Sounds like you guys are having a blast. 🙂
I love Mexican Pottery Leslie, and the local ceramics are wonderful. But alas, as you know, pottery and travel do not mix. You guys are going to love it here. ~ James
I love that you guys went to San Miguel de Allende!!
Gabriela, SMA has been on our list for years, and we’re glad to finally be here. It’s a special, magical place that everyone should see. ~ James
:-)!
I always love the Day of the Dead statues and paintings in Mexico, James. And they always make me laugh. Interesting how a sense of humor is incorporated into something that could go the other direction. –Curt
Curt, we’re in Morelia now and have seen some really fun clay sculptures for the DOD. Apparently, it’s a really big celebration here and in the state. I’m sure some of the photos will show up. Watch this space. ~ James
Awesome! Makes me want to go shopping! … ok, I always like to go shopping, but those dishes are beautiful.
Love your sense of humour. Those 2 statues on your tombstone would guarantee visitors for a very long time 🙂
I’d never considered it Joanne. This could be my claim to fame. My tombstone could be a stop on the city tour! ~ James
Does that qualify as going out with a bang? 🙂
Whenever I travel, I have a tendency to want to re-decorate my house with what I find in other locales. This pottery would make me want to paint the kitchen and fill the walls with pottery! Such fun colors!
Rusha, I’d love to have a shell of a house, and do the whole thing in Mexican tile, ceramics, and pottery. It would fit right in here in San Miguel, but not sure how it would work in GA. ~ James
I have slowly been collecting small pieces of that glorious Talavera here in Mexico for five months. I WILL carry them home, I’ll just leave my clothes behind….
This sounds like the perfect plan Louise. Clothes are easy to buy, but Talavera, not so much. And you have you new Portland digs to consider as well. ~ James