Talavera
When you acquire a piece of Talavera, you obtain the beauty of a millennial tradition.
Originating in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, Talavera became very popular in China, where the unique technique was further developed. During several centuries of Arab domination, the pieces were introduced as Talavera de la Reina, and this is now the "official" name. In Europe this pottery is also known as "Mayolica," and in France as "Faience."
Today in Mexico, genuine Talavera is only produced in Puebla and Guanajuato. In addition to the traditional blue and white, it is decorated in lively colors. Each region preserves its own style.
Amate
Mexican Amate Bark Paper dates back to pre-Columbian times and is still handmade by indigenous Otomi artisans of central Mexico using the same methods of their Mesoamerican ancestors from nearly 3000 years ago. Amate Bark Paper has been used throughout the ages in religious and legal texts as well as a canvas for painting.
Barro Negro
Barro negro, the polished, surprisingly light, black pottery that you find in hundreds of forms around Oaxaca, comes from San Bartolo Coyotepec. For almost all of the town’s history, the color of the local pottery was a dull dark gray, until Doña Rosa Real discovered a way to create a shiny black finish t create barro negro pottery. The innovation made the pottery more popular and famous, with Nelson Rockefeller having a collection of her pieces. Doña Rosa died in 1980, but the tradition of making the barro negro pottery is being carried on by Doña Rosa’s daughter and grandchildren who stage demonstrations for tourists.
Day of the Dead
Dia de los Muertos has its origins in Aztec traditions honoring the dead. The Aztec Empire's influence extended throughout present-day Mexico and Central America, while few Native Americans of the present-day U.S. shared Aztec traditions. They would be unlikely to adopt Dia de los Muertos rituals.
Aztec Calendars
The Aztec or Mexica calendar is the calendrical system used by the Aztecs as well as other Pre-Columbian peoples of central Mexico. It is one of the Mesoamerican calendars, sharing the basic structure of calendars from throughout ancient Mesoamerica.
The Aztec sun stone, also called the calendar stone, is on display at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. The calendar consists of a 365-day calendar cycle called xiuhpōhualli (year count) and a 260-day ritual cycle called tōnalpōhualli (day count). These two cycles together form a 52-year "century", sometimes called the "calendar round". The xiuhpōhualli is considered to be the agricultural calendar, since it is based on the sun, and the tōnalpōhualli is considered to be the sacred calendar.
Hand Blown Glass Pebbled Confetti
Mexico has long been known as the land of the master craftsman. If the master craftsman is considered an artist, then glass is certainly seen as his preferred canvas. Glass blowing has long been a cherished form of art by Mexican artisans. The very first glass pieces produced in North America, were created in Puebla Mexico around 1535 by artisans brought from Spain.
Mexican Onyx
Known as "Tecalli" where it's named after the town of Tecalli in the state of Puebla in Mexico. Onyx forms from spring water or groundwater that has an abundance of calcite dissolved in it. When this water emerges at the mouth of a spring, the minerals precipitate out and build a crust of calcite crystals. Over time, more water flows by and more minerals settle out.
Onyx is the stuff of fantasy. Its sparkly translucence belies the fact that it’s solid rock. It looks like a gemstone, with wavy bands of amber, ivory, and white fused together in a fluid pattern. When backlit, onyx radiates a soft, ethereal light. It’s truly an extraordinary stone.
Local Artists
There are many great local artists in and around the Puerto Morelos area. Once such artist, is Javier Cachón whose artwork sits above our TVs in both units.