Natural Palm Fiber Braided Place Mats from Mexico, "Supper at the Beach"

The basics never go out of style, and this set of six placemats are a classic of oceanside seafood eateries all along Mexico's two coasts. The fiber is extracted from packs of palm fronds cut in the states of Michoacan and Guerrero, then carefully braided and sewn into ovals by artisan Eulalio Alvarado.