Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-06-30
MEXICAN ART.


There are many interesting specimens of
Mexican art and taste now being exhibited on
It. Charles street, opposite to the Theatre,
which our citizens will find worthy of being
seen and examined. The saddle of Santa In
ma, captured at Puebla, which cost originally
$4,000, is a gorgeous and magnificent piece of
art, and displays in strong light the great
skill and taste of the Mexican mechanics. II
would be vain to attempt description of it,
so rich, various, and beautiful are lis texture
and ornaments. 1t glitters with precious
stones, and is heavy with gold and silver
The pommel is a solid gold eagles head, and
the green velvet of the seat is relieved by the
most tasteful and elegant gold and silver en-
broidery. The stirrups are of solid silver,
washed with gold. The bride is of gold cord
and the front piece is of gold studded with
brIliants and Jewels of different hues. Thro'-
out all the appurtenances, there prevails the
same luXurlance of ornament and of wealth.
This saddle was taken al Puebla when Santa
Anna was forced TO make precipitate retreat
from that town. Ii was manufactured in that
place. No wonder that Mexicans who ride
such saddles as these are always in such a
hurry 10 fly from our rough boys. The cap
ture of Mexican involves something more
than loss of his life or liberty it involves a
transfer of nearly all his worldly wealth, which
usually consists in his ornaments and military
equipments An American soldier fights fol-
his honor, his flag, the fame of his country,
A Mexican fights for his diamond hilted sword
his gold epaulettes, his magnificent saddle and
bediZened uniform.
Among other interesting curosities exhibit
ed is the gold cloth dress in which The infant
of hui
christened This was found in tortoise shell
box of diminutive dimensions, and most inge
niously interlined with silver and gold. The
same box contained miniature silver trunk
intended no doubt to amuse the young SAINT;
Anna. We could not suppress sigh of sym
pathy and regret for the loss of relic of 81
much value to the estimabe mother Of the lit
tie infant.
We saw, also, the silver and gold corded
tassels of Santa Annals bed, and many LITTLE
toys and ornaments which formed portion O
his household gods. There are two specimen!
of the carving in virgin silver, of tortoise shell
of glass work, of hair plating, all made by
the hands of the Indians of Mexico, which
exhibit no less taste than skill. The Mexi
cans strongly resemble the Chinese in the
skill and ingenuity in manufacturing delicat,
and ingenious articles. Their images, wheth
er made of metal, sugar. stone, or even rags
are most delicately correct and beautiful. The
lady of one of our most distinguished officer:
in Mexico, who resides in this city, has some
specimens of the rag images of the Mexican:
which are most extraordinary it their taste
perfection, and beauty. They would be ia
ken for wax work if they were not far more
correct than images in wax can be made. The
dress, the expression of the face, the attitudes
of the figures, which are in groups, are equa
TO the most finished paintings we have eve
seen. We do not think there is any people
in the world who can compare with the Mex
leans in this department of art. The ancien
Mexicans possessed great skill in carving ant
in the ornamental art, and the present genera
ton has improved upon this. if upon no othe
quality of their predecessors. With practice
experience, science, and more familiar inter
course with the ingenious and civilized ma
tons of the world, there are strong reasons IL
hope and believe that the native Mexicans ART
destined TO become the Chinese of this CONT
nent, and to contribute largely by their skill
and industry to the pleasure and enjoyment o
the civilized world.