A big floral mandala opens at the heart of this Talavera tile mahjong mat, its blossom banded in cobalt, burnt orange and green over a warm cream ground. Symmetrical vines and daisies fan out to every corner. A mosaic tile border of rosettes and geometric blocks frames the whole piece like a Spanish courtyard floor.
Drop this on a table and the color does the talking. Ivory tiles and dark racks stand out cleanly against the cream field, and the central rosette gives each player a bright anchor to look up at. It reads folk-art cheerful, not fussy.
The Art: Painted Tilework
Rendered in the Spanish and Mexican Talavera manner, the design sets a kaleidoscopic central flower against scrolling vines, scattered daisies and a patchwork tile border in blue, orange, gold and green. The densest ornament rings the edges and the center; the mid-field keeps enough open cream to build walls and follow the discards.
On the Table
Neoprene gives it a smooth fabric top over a non-slip rubber base. The soft surface hushes shuffling and protects tile faces, while the grippy backing keeps walls and racks from wandering. Jokers and dice stay put. Dye-sublimation printing bakes the tile color into the fabric, so it won't crack or fade across a season of weekly games.
Two Sizes: 23.5" or 31.5"
23.5" x 23.5" (60 x 60 cm) travels well and fits smaller tables and patios. 31.5" x 31.5" (81 x 81 cm) is the full field for a standard card table, with space for four walls, four racks and the discard pile. Bright kitchens usually want the big one.
A Gift for the Color Lover
- The hostess who decorates in Mediterranean or Southwest style
- Players who want warmth and pattern on the table
- Someone matching the mat to a tiled kitchen or sunroom
- Folk-art and ceramic-tile fans
Brush it off after play, wipe with a damp cloth when needed, and store it rolled, never folded.