Cartagena pottery. Prefasi-Zapata collection

The exhibition brings together an outstanding collection of more than 150 pieces of Cartagena pottery, the result of the dedication to collecting of the married couple José Miguel Prefasi Jiménez and María Teresa Zapata Cascales.

Don José Miguel, a pharmacist and art lover, passed on his passion to his wife, and together they became involved with renowned artists. His interest in Cartagena pottery, produced in the 19th century by factories such as La Amistad and La Cartagenera, led them to meticulously gather unique pieces during the 1970s. After his death, his descendants decided to donate this valuable collection to the Cartagena City Council through the Archaeological Museum, ensuring the preservation of this legacy and contributing to the dissemination of the city's history and cultural heritage.

These factories stood out for their ability to combine traditional techniques with innovative styles, creating ceramic pieces that reflected both artisanal quality and the emerging modernist aesthetic. The Cartagena bourgeoisie, in their search for greater cultural and aesthetic recognition, found in these industries a vehicle to express their identity and aspirations.

The importance of La Amistad and La Cartagenera goes beyond their production; they represent a period of transition and modernization that connected art with industry, contributing to the cultural development of Cartagena. Their legacy endures, reminding us how the concurrence between industry and art can shape the identity of a city.