Contla de Juan Cuamatzi, Tlaxcala

Serapes are a highly prized prestige item of clothing in Mexican society because of their fine weave, striking colors, and harmony of design. Saltillo serapes are documented to have originated with the Aztecs in the 1500s and were woven from colorful fibers dyed using insects and fruits. They were thought to bring abundance and favor from the gods. Today these qualities continue in the work of Pedro Netzahualcoyotl Nava.