Cheap Tickets and Talavera Treasures

Mexico is definitely a budget-friendly cheap flights destination for art lovers. With influences from so many indigenous cultures as well as European settlers, the country is a treasure trove of art and artistic traditions. Certain cities are famous for particular handicrafts that have been produced in the same regions for many centuries and attract visitors on flights to Mexico from around the world. The southern Mexican state of Puebla is especially known for its intricate talavera ceramics as well as many other crafts. Book discount airline tickets and travel on cheap flights to Mexico to discover these time-honored artistic traditions.

Talavera, the artistic pride of Puebla, is earthenware ceramic that was actually brought to Mexico by the Spaniards in the 16th century; although the artisans of Puebla elevated this art to the form we know it as today. The type of clay found in the soils of this Mexican region is especially conducive to high quality ceramics. Talavera pieces are usually glazed milky white and then intricately painted in a wide range of colors. Originally, the color blue was reserved for the finest pieces, as blue dyes were the most expensive to produce. Talavera is the oldest form of tin-glazed ceramics in the Americas. The name comes from the group of craftsmen who brought their ceramic trade and workshops from the small town of Talavera de la Reina in Spain. Jars, kitchen dishes, wall decorations, religious art, tiles, and many more objects were crafted in the talavera style. The golden age of talavera took place between 1650 and 1750, when many churches (and religious artworks to decorate them) were commissioned and constructed. Talavera is still made today, although in much smaller quantities. If you book cheap tickets to Mexico, you can witness this tradition in action. To be considered true talavera, pieces have to be made of all natural clays and dyes and hand-thrown on a traditional potter’s wheel. So if you’d like to purchase a talavera piece to bring on your flights home, make sure you can verify its workshop and origin.

You’ll see colorful talavera pieces all over Puebla. There is now a Talavera Museum that you can explore in the city with a collection that includes many important and historic pieces. Mexico City also has an extensive talavera museum. In addition to these ceramics, the state of Puebla is famous for its abundance of other crafts. The town of Amozoc is renowned for its silverwork while artisans of Cuauhtinchan carve objects from marble. Ciudad Serdán is famous for its indigenous rustic furniture. Whichever arts interest you the most, you’re sure to find something beautiful in Puebla - and maybe even some lovely souvenirs and gifts to take on your cheap flights home. Check out cheap tickets for flights to Mexico and plan your art tour of Puebla.