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INTRODUCTION 37 
Elsewhere in northern and central Mexico it is 
possible to find many suggestions of ancient Indian 
ways of living. In nearly all the outlying villages the 
old-time thatched huts are still used, while baskets, 
gourd vessels, wooden bowls, earthen pots, and other 
household objects hark back to native origins although 
often modified by European contact. For instance, 
glazing is commonly seen on the modern pottery. 
Many travelers in Mexico bring away as souvenirs 
pieces of pottery from Guadalajara and Cuernavaca. 
These wares are made by Indians, but in decoration 
they have only slight traces of the ancient art of the 
Mexicans. 
In dress there are noteworthy survivals. The pon- 
cho and serape made either on the narrow hand loom 
or on a crude form of the Spanish tread loom are pic- 
turesque elements in the national dress that are rapidly 
disappearing from view. Time was when the rich 
plantation owner wore a gayly colored blanket on 
fiesta days. ‘The most famous centers for the manu- 
facture and sale of blankets were the cities of Saltillo 
and San Miguel. The Saltillo pattern shows a medal- 
lion consisting of concentric diamonds in various colors 
upon an all-over design in stripes. The motives are 
minute geometric figures skilfully interlocked. The 
colors are rich and permanent and are combined in a 
very pleasing manner. Saltillo blankets must be classed 
among the finest textile products of the world. The 
best period was before 1850. San Miguel blankets 
show characteristically a rosette instead of a diamond 
in the center. Many beautiful blankets come from 
other localities in Mexico. The Chimayo blankets have 
the same part Indian, part Spanish origin and are made 
by the Spanish-speaking natives in the mountain val- 
leys of New Mexico. 
