mantel decor

By Kanda, this low, shallow vase depicts a swan with Thai stylizations. She works in celadon ceramic with its richly crackled textures.

This gorgeous set of 12 square ceramic tiles from Isabelle Collins features cobalt blue motifs on a background of white. The tiles would make a magnificent backsplash or as decoration for a fireplace mantel. The artisan works in the style and technique of classic Talavera pottery, using color schemes that date back to the 1500s. "We use the same techniques and styles used in 16th-century Puebla. Classic Talavera used only six colors, all of which were natural glazes compounded at home with mineral pigments. We create our homemade paintbrushes using mule hair or horsehair from the mane or tail, according to the thickness desired for our motifs," the artisan explains.

Artisan Isabelle Collins works with traditional methods and materials to create these Talavera-style decorative ceramic tiles. Authentic Talavera pottery, which dates back to the 16th century, comes only from the state of Puebla and must be made according to exacting specifications. The multicolored tiles would make a magnificent backsplash or as decoration for a fireplace mantel.

Working with traditional methods and materials, artisan Isabelle Collins crafts these Talavera-style decorative ceramic tiles. Authentic Talavera pottery, which dates back to the 16th century, comes only from the state of Puebla and must be made according to exacting specifications. The sunny yellow and cobalt blue tiles would make a magnificent backsplash or as decoration for a fireplace mantel.

Artisan Isabelle Collins uses traditional methods and materials to craft these Talavera-style decorative ceramic tiles. Authentic Talavera pottery, which dates back to the 16th century, comes only from the state of Puebla and must be made according to exacting specifications. The beautiful tiles would make a magnificent backsplash or as decoration for a fireplace mantel.

Artisan Luis Morales of Mexico crafts a charming ceramic Catrina to grace your mantel or shelf. Formed by hand from clay, her homely ensemble is carefully painted in blue and orange with an ivory apron and black shawl. Her hair is braided and she carries a basket of lilies on her back. The elegant figure is based on a satirical etching created by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada around 1910-1913. With his etching, Posada poked fun at those Mexican natives who tried to emulate the fashion and habits of the European aristocracy. Today, la Catrina has become the instantly recognizable icon of Día de los Muertos (Mexico's Day of the Dead).