The last week of school, we went to visit a talavera factory, called Uriarte. It was founded in 1824, and is still run by the same family. Talavera is the colorful pottery made in Puebla, and the real thing is made by quite an interesting process.
This is the indoor courtyard of the workshop.
Isn't this fountain-shrine pretty?
This is the big old oven. It isn't in use anymore.
This is a big giant mold for a big giant vase.
This is the pot that comes out of that mold. Mighty big.
This is a giant grinder where they grand the colors for the pottery.
This is a guy making a bowl.
Here are some little tiny bowls being made.
These are logs of clay... pre-pot.
Broken trash. They sell this to make broken tile masterpieces.
Here is how the clay dries.
This is slipping through the first glaze.
Here is an artist painting the pottery. A charcoal pattern is put on first, then vegetable colors area applied. The traditional colors are dark blue, light blue, orange, yellow, black and green.
Here is what it looks like before it is fired. All genuine talavera has a D04 on the back of it, and should be done in the traditional colors.
Here are Teah and Becky after the tour!
This is a nun's cell. Note the self-mortification devices.
This is the room where the hidden convent was discovered. After 34 years of hiding.
This is the way down to the crypt.
Kitchen.
Pottery.
More pottery.
This giant lock was beautiful.
Just like Scrooge's!
This was my favorite. It is all scratchy and beat up, and a wonderful shade of blue.
There were lots that were all fortified like this one.
What do these fish going in the guy's mouth mean?
This is the door to the Serdan house, where the Mexican Revolution began. Note the bullet holes all around.
This church was St. Peter's. Note the papal insignia.
These doors were on the cathedral in Puebla.
The most important door, to my school!
Another favorite. Near the school.
This is the indoor courtyard of the workshop.
Isn't this fountain-shrine pretty?
This is the big old oven. It isn't in use anymore.
This is a big giant mold for a big giant vase.
This is the pot that comes out of that mold. Mighty big.
This is a giant grinder where they grand the colors for the pottery.
This is a guy making a bowl.
Here are some little tiny bowls being made.
These are logs of clay... pre-pot.
Broken trash. They sell this to make broken tile masterpieces.
Here is how the clay dries.
This is slipping through the first glaze.
Here is an artist painting the pottery. A charcoal pattern is put on first, then vegetable colors area applied. The traditional colors are dark blue, light blue, orange, yellow, black and green.
Here is what it looks like before it is fired. All genuine talavera has a D04 on the back of it, and should be done in the traditional colors.
Here are Teah and Becky after the tour!
Just think, this is what you would have seen as you entered this convent for life. Lots of girls went willingly, but many were forced to go, because they were younger daughters, or they were forced to convert and other such things.
Inside. The framework of the door.
The big door to the church part of the convent.
Inside. Isn't this amazing? The altarpiece that was up there is now inside the church next door.
Lovely picture, Becky!
This is the baptismal font. At that time, there were lots of indiginous girls who joined the order and needed to be baptized.
Inside the outside doors.
