Serape, c. 1900, 45 1/4 × 28 7/8 in. (114.94 × 73.34 cm), Cotton, pigments, Mexico, 20th century, The serape is among the finest and most vibrant North American textile traditions. Produced as early as the 1500s, the serape has since undergone different styles and remains a popular item today. Despite its prominence in Mexican culture, relatively little is known about the textiles origins and history.