This category is an acknowledgement of the many cultures throughout history that have made an invaluable contribution to the science, technology and/or the aesthetics of ceramic tiles that are not directly associated with the 19th & early 20th century Anglo Australian ceramic tile experience - such as  Mexican experience - OETA will continually add new designs and ranges to this category.

 "In the first half of the 16th century the craft of majolica ceramic tiles and pottery was established in Mexico by craftsmen migrating from Seville and Talavera in Spain.” These Mexican tiles, painted in a lively style known as "puebla" (named after the city in which they were produced) display European, Chinese, Middle Eastern and, initially, indigenous influences, interpreted in a naively vivid fashion. Tiles were painted mostly in blue on white, and polychrome. Puebla became the centre of production for this type of tile because of the quality of the clay found there and the demand for tiles from the newly established churches and monasteries in the area.

By the time of the Mexican War of Independence, Mexican majolica was exported throughout the New World and had completely displaced the more expensive Spanish product from the market. Throughout the 20^th century however, Mexican tile producers continued to import and copy styles from England and France.

Most ceramics produced in central Mexico are fired at a low temperature - 800 degrees C or less, and covered with a glaze made of lead and other minerals. In the 1990's a government entity worked to produce a lead-free glaze employing boron. However, research has found lead in products stamped "lead free". It is estimated that only half of Mexico's potteries have switched to boron based glazes.

OETA's hand-painted Mexican style tiles are fired in modern kilns here in Sydney and are completely lead-free. You can choose from our standard range or our in-house artist can paint something to your specifications."

1/ All tiles in the “Puebla Collection” are original OETA designs. Any unauthorized copying will incur legal action.

2/ All tiles in the OETA “Puebla Collection” are hand-painted. Variations from tile to tile are an inherent characteristic of these tiles and add to their charm. No claims will be considered based on variations of colour or motif details.

3/ All designs are available on 100 x 100mm white or vanilla unless otherwise stated.

4/ Designs marked with a # are available with square corners only in Antique White. All other designs are available with round corners or square corners with ripple surface.

5/ The glazes used to decorate tiles in the “Puebla Collection” are 100% lead free.

6/ OETA reserves the right to alter or discontinue designs in the “Puebla Collection” without prior notice.

Basins

OETA's range of beautiful, hand-painted basins are designed to co-ordinate with the tiles from our "Puebla", "Delft" and "French Provincial" collections. New designs, inspired by the Country collection, will progressively be added.

All designs shown are OETA originals. They are hand-painted on the finest French ceramic basins by our award-winning ceramic artist using lead free glazes and fired in state of the art kilns in Sydney. 

PUEBLA BASIN - incorporates design elements of the 'Aztec Bird' series (Dove & Toucan), plus several of the 'Puebla Floral' series (#4, 5, 12).

The name "Puebla" comes from the 16th century Mexican city famous for its ceramic tiles and pottery. The lively painting style characteristic of this area displays European, Chinese and Middle Eastern influences, interpreted in a naively vivid fashion.

TALAVERA BASIN - incorporates design elements of the 'Puebla Floral' series (#3 + border & corner) interpreted in a free flowing, organic style. Early in the 16th century craftsmen from Seville and Talavera in Spain migrated to Mexico and established potteries in Puebla where maiolica tiles and other ceramic wares were made. These products became known as Talavera ware.

BASIN COLOURS: White, Ivory

BASIN SIZE: 395mm diam, 170mm high

BASIN WEIGHT: 5.1 Kgs