De Carbia, María A. Mexico Through My Kitchen Window. (México: M.A. de Carbia, 1938). [TX716 .M4 C372 1938].
Last week, I posted the first half of the index of illustrations from María de Carbia’s Mexico Through My Kitchen Window, a 1938 English-language cookbook written by a Mexico City Chef for American tourists and other U.S. cooks with an interest in Mexican cooking.
This index is such an unexpected feature of a cookbook from this time period, that I couldn’t resist the opportunity to share the latter half as well. It seems to foreshadow late 20th century cookbooks that capitalized on food-and-culture tourism by providing information and explanations of common artifacts and craft items that Americans visiting Mexico in the 1930s might have purchased as souvenirs: rattles, bowls, tablecloths, and the like.
Click on an image in the mosaic below to see the complete caption.
“PLATO DE TEOTIHUACAN Y TAZA DE OAXACA”. Teotihuacán plate and vase from Oaxaca. Natives from Teotihuacán near the famous pyramids make pottery from a grey black clay. The motives of decoration are very simple and copied from ancient Aztec desings (sic). They are in white lines over the gray-black background….69
“CESTITO DE PALMA”. Basket made of dried palm leaves….72
“CESTITO DE PALMA”. Basket made of dried palm leaves….72
“COCHINITO DE BARRO”. Mexican clay pig. The pig has been considered one of the most typical of Mexican decorative motives (sic). Natives make small clay pigs to serve as savings banks for children. They are made with a slit in the back, where the children insert their coins. When the pig is full they break it. They also make salt cellars decorated in gay colors….89
“COCHINITO DE BARRO”. Mexican clay pig. The pig has been considered one of the most typical of Mexican decorative motives (sic). Natives make small clay pigs to serve as savings banks for children. They are made with a slit in the back, where the children insert their coins. When the pig is full they break it. They also make salt cellars decorated in gay colors….89
“VASO DE GUADALAJARA”. Another example of Guadalajara pottery this kind being without luster and in very soft shades.
“VASO DE GUADALAJARA”. Another example of Guadalajara pottery this kind being without luster and in very soft shades.
“SERVILLETA DE OAXACA”. Cotton doily made in Oaxaca in very primitive looms. They also make large tablecloths, luncheon and bridge sets. The colors are very bright….93
“SERVILLETA DE OAXACA”. Cotton doily made in Oaxaca in very primitive looms. They also make large tablecloths, luncheon and bridge sets. The colors are very bright….93
“CANDELERO DE OAXACA”. Oaxaca candlestick….96
“GUAJE DE URUAPAN DECORADO COMO AVE”. Uruapan gourd decorated to resemble a bird….113
“CANDELERO DE OAXACA”. Oaxaca candlestick….96
“GUAJE DE URUAPAN DECORADO COMO AVE”. Uruapan gourd decorated to resemble a bird….113
“BOTELLONCITO DE GUADALAJARA”. Water bottle from Guadalajara….117
“BOTELLONCITO DE GUADALAJARA”. Water bottle from Guadalajara….117
“JICARA DE URUAPAN”. Typical Uruapan bowl (gourd)…..137
“JICARA DE URUAPAN”. Typical Uruapan bowl (gourd)…..137
“ORGANOS”. Candle cactus….140
“ORGANOS”. Candle cactus….140
“OLLITA DE MICHOACAN”. Very primitive vase made in a small town of Michoacán….141
“OLLITA DE MICHOACAN”. Very primitive vase made in a small town of Michoacán….141
I’ve been loving this series on the 1937 edition of Mexico Through My KItchen Window; I have a copy of the 1961 edition–it also has an index of illustrations; sadly, though, they are less interesting black and white drawings by a different artist. So thanks for this opportunity to see the earlier incarnation.
I’ve been loving this series on the 1937 edition of Mexico Through My KItchen Window; I have a copy of the 1961 edition–it also has an index of illustrations; sadly, though, they are less interesting black and white drawings by a different artist. So thanks for this opportunity to see the earlier incarnation.