From the 16th century until the middle of the 19th century trade between New Mexico and Mexico flourished. Although there were a variety of woven goods produced as part of this trade, the single item in greatest demand was the Rio Grande blanket, a general term encompassing the entire weaving tradition of Hispanic New Mexico. Rio Grande blankets demonstrate great variety in design, but many, such as the one that inspired this MouseRug/CoasterRug, feature elements borrowed from the weavings of “Saltillo-style” serapes, made in many places in Mexico. Some of those ”borrowed” elements are evident in this rug: the serrated central diamond, bold geometric patterns and striped borders.