Though many may compare Mexico's Talavera pottery with Majolica pottery, the differences are greater than the similarities.

Majolica pottery has been around longer than Mexico Talavera pottery. Majolica pottery started out in Mesopotamia in the 9th Century. It is believed that the Muslim craftsmen wanted to imitate the Chinese designs which adorned the pottery of that culture. "Islamic potters created a semblance of the white surface by changing their transparent alkaline glazes with tin oxide, effectively masking the buff-colored earthenware clay body." (claylickcreek-pottery.com). When the Moors conquered Spain, in the 11th Century, they brought with them this craft. In the 14th Century the pottery, which was already very well known in Valencia and Malaga, became popular in Italy due to its being shipped from Majorca. Hence, the name "Majolica".

Talavera pottery Mexico is younger by 500 years, when the Spanish conquered Mexico. At that time monks were brought over for the Christianization of "New Spain", as Mexico was then referred to. Once these monks realized the quality of the clay found in the area now known as Puebla, they taught the local Indians how to work the potters' wheel as well as the process of tin-glazing. Mexico Talavera pottery obtains its name from the town, Talavera de la Reina, where the craftsmen who were brought to Mexico came from.

Majolica pottery is composed of very soft, porous clay. The clay, which has already been molded, is then fired at a very low temperature. Once in the "biscuit stage", when the first firing is completed the clay has turned yellow, and its composition has changed to a metal-oxide opaque background, which requires drying prior to painting. When the opaque background glaze is dried, which takes approximately 24 hours, the piece of pottery is then ready for painting, which is done by hand. The paints used are brightly colored, metal-oxide glazes.

The clay from which Mexico Talavera pottery is made of is hard and dry requiring water to initially soften it. Mexico Talavera pottery is not fired until at least 7 to 12 weeks, which is approximately the time it takes for the clay to dry, with the larger pieces taking longer to dry. Prior to drying stage, the clay is placed in a sieve to break it into particles which makes for a smoother finish. Once the clay has dried, the Mexico Talavera pottery is either hand-shaped on a potters' wheel or placed in molds which are then fired at extremely high temperatures of over 1500 degrees Farenheit (850 degrees Celsius). The paints used on Talavera ceramics are mineral based, which allows the pieces to be exposed to the environment for long periods of time. Due to the composition of the mineral-based paints, when they dry the colors "change" - orange becomes yellow, black turns to green, brown to red and light blue turns dark blue. Both processes require two firings and are hand designed and painted.

The Majolica pottery is composed of figures on the inside base depicting events such as battles. Later, the figurines turned to imitate Nature. Butterflies, fruits and vegetables were incorporated in high relief.

On the other hand, the designs of the Mexico Talavera pottery have not changed much over centuries of manufacturing. The only difference from the original pieces in the 14th Century has been the addition of different colors. Initially, the Mexico Talavera pottery pieces were painted in simple white background with blue detailing, in an attempt to imitate the Chinese porcelains that were being imported from the Orient into Mexico at that time. Other than that, the process remains the same as when it all started with the monks in "New Spain".