Spain has long had a vibrant and rich ceramic tradition, dating back to the pottery of the Neolithic peoples of the Iberian Peninsula, which in many ways matches the similar traditions of other European countries such as France, Italy and Great Britain. All of these centres of the ceramic arts have been influenced to varying degree by innovations and designs imported from other cultures. In Spain, the ceramic traditions were greatly influenced by successive waves of invasion and subsequent intermingling of the cultures of Greece, Phoenicia, Rome and various Gothic tribes culminating with the Visigoths. However, it was the conquest of Spain by the Moors in 714 AD, an occupation which was to last until their final expulsion by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492, that has probably had the greatest, most significant influence on the Spanish ceramic arts tradition. The influence of Moors in Spanish artistic endeavours remains strong to this day. Learn more about the Moors at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moors

Originally, potteries were established in centres where there was a steady and easily available supply of clay for use in their production. Thus major ceramic centres were established in Sevilla, along the banks of the Guadalquivir; Málaga and Valencia, along the southern and eastern coasts; Granada and Córdoba, also in the Guadalquivir basin, and many, many other centres. In our search to bring our customers the best of the Spanish ceramic arts, we have selected cerámicas from Triana in Sevilla; from Lebrija, south of Sevilla; and from Granada, representing the Moorish traditions of Córdoba and Granada as well as the Andalucian melting pot of various strong peasant traditions.