Numerous imitations are made, however, and travelers are cautioned against paying high prices for the spurious article. Rag figures dressed in Mexican costumes are sold extensively by the Indians. All kinds of baskets composed of gayly-colored fragments of the palm-leaf are cheap and abundant. The zarapes are described in the chapter on costumes. Every variety of leather-ware is made in the country. Besides leathern clothing and foot-gear, bridles, saddles, whips, etc., are manufactured, which are oftentimes of exquisite workmanship. The author saw a silver-mounted saddle belonging to a wealthy young hacendado that was valued at $1,000. It weighed forty pounds. The Mexican onyx, or tecali, is wrought into paper-weights and small vases, and even into mantel-pieces. The pale-green variety of this stone is very beautiful. Tourists are recommended to purchase ornaments of tecali either at Puebla or at the capital.
Choice embroidery (bordado) is made in Mexico. This work is done on velvet, silk, cloth, or muslin. Gold and silver thread is commonly used to embroider velvet and silk. The vestments of the priests are trimmed in this manner (vide chapter on the Church). Felt hats are usually adorned with silver thread. The most beautiful piece of native needle-work on exhibition is found on the throne of the Sala de Embajadores, at the National Palace in the capital. It consists of the Mexican coat-of-arms embroidered with gold thread on dark velvet.
Ladies wishing to purchase ornamental specimens of needle-work should have them made to order, as Mexican shopkeepers rarely have choice embroidery in stock. There is no fixed price for this class of work; accordingly, strangers are advised to bargain with the dealers.
Owing to the small number of artists, paintings which delineate Mexican scenery or costumes are seldom offered for sale. Photographs of the places of interest, both in
