Long Radiant Mexican Saltillo Serape. Masterfully crafted kilim style with fringe ends. Variegated shades of purple, yellow, red, blue, white, green, brown, black, and much more, anchored by a serrated lozenge in the middle that represents the sun, or for some Mexican tribal groups, "The Eye of God." 

Condition: Commensurate with its vintage/antique age. 

Size: 48 x 87 in. 

#3702 . 

The sarape is a long blanket-like shawl or cloak, often brightly colored and fringed at the ends, worn in Mexico, especially by men. The term serape traditionally applies to the rectangular woven blanket (no openings), though in more recent years it can also be used to refer to a very soft rectangular blanket with an opening in the middle for one’s head, similar to a poncho, called gabán or jorongo in Mexico. The length varies, but front and back normally reach knee length on an average person. The weaving technique is labor-intensive, and traditional dyes from natural sources give the wool serapes their bold colors, though synthetic dyes are also used today. The typical colors of serapes from the Chiapas Highland regions are two-tone combinations of black, gray, brown, or tan depending on the natural color of the sheep flocks in the area, with large design patterns utilizing indigenous motifs. However, the serapes made in the Mexican state of Coahuila in northeastern Mexico near the city of Saltillo often consist of a dark base color with bands of yellow, orange, red, blue, green, purple, or other bright colors, and the ends are usually fringed. A central diamond, rhombus, or serrated lozenge symbolizes northeastern Mexico’s sunrises and sunsets, signifying wealth and power. Stripes of earthy colors inspired by the desert’s sparse vegetation and contrasting landscapes are integrated with finer threads that result in vibrant patterns mirroring the hues of sky and earth. The rainbow-like pattern evolved over many centuries, and is instantly recognizable today around the world. The serape is thought to have its forebears in garments worn in the region near Chiautempan and Contla, Tlaxcala. During the Colonial period, it was taken to northern New Spain where it was adapted to the climate and the motifs changed. The serape has seen a resurgence in popularity in the 2000s, with boutiques adding them to their inventory as companies produce new modern designs but with traditional methods. Saltillo serapes began to serve as decorative throws, wall hangings, and rugs starting in the late 20th Century. To this day they are seen as symbols of Mexican heritage and craftsmanship, reflecting the country’s rich history and cultural diversity in their limitless styles and sizes.

Commensurate with its vintage/antique age.